COVID-19 virus too close for comfort for Murray County

Health, News

Murray County schools found themselves too close to COVID-19 virus when the father of one of their teachers was diagnosed with the virus.  The Board of Education released a statement telling parents that the teacher and a student in a similar situation are quarantined. Local schools are preparing for COVID-19 amid concerns, fears, and close calls. The spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is making waves in the school systems.  Schools in Fulton County are closed due to a confirmed case and while there are no confirmed cases, at least two districts have situations warranting a closer look with a couple of staff members and a student in quarantine.

While there are no confirmed cases in Pickens, Murray, Whitfield, and Gordon counties, local schools found they weren’t totally immune to the threat. There have been some close calls and situations that have some schools taking notice.

Pickens County Schools had a brush as a paraprofessional ate at the same Waffle House in Canton as an employee who had the virus. The paraprofessional isn’t showing symptoms but is “self-quarantined” for the incubation period.

Most local schools have a contingency plan, but one district, Dalton Public Schools, is already developing online curriculum should the schools decide to close.

Pat Holloway, Chief of Staff for Dalton Public Schools, said there are no cases or quarantines involving staff or students in their district, but they are developing curriculumn for students to access via their devices if needed. The system has about 7,800 students with third grade through 12th grade each having their own devices, either laptops or I-pads.

Other area schools, including DPS, are following guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control to reduce the chance of the virus coming into their schools. The Georgia Department of Health has resources available, including guidelines on how to disinfect surfaces.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Center for Disease Control reported there were 23 confirmed cases in Georgia.For a complete listing by state, click here.

The virus spread from the Wuhan in China and has 938 confirmed cases in the United States and 29 deaths. A confirmed case in Fulton County schools led to the closure, according to the Georgia Department of Education, but they are not recommending closures for other schools. To read the GADOE statement, click here.

COVID-19 virus is spread person-to-person and symptoms are flu-like or the common cold.

The CDC recommends:

COVID-19 virus

Handwashing poster from the Georgia Department of Health.

Stop handshaking – use other non-contact methods of greeting.

Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email.

Create habits and reminders to avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes.

Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly  Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

For other tips, visit here.

The Georgia Department of Health recommends:

Washing hands regularly

Get flu shot

Cover coughs and sneezes

Stay home if symptoms appear until they resolve

Murray County Schools

Murray County Schools released the following statement:

Officials with the Murray School system have today been made aware that one of its teacher’s elderly father, who lives in the Atlanta area, was diagnosed on Monday March 8th with COVID-19. The teacher had visited her father during the weekend of March 1st. The teacher is currently, on the instruction of medical professionals, “quarantined” at her parents’ house in Atlanta. Ten days post-exposure, the teacher is exhibiting no signs of illness, and continues to monitor her temperature at least twice per day. She has been instructed to remain in her parent’s home for 14 days post-exposure, which will end this Saturday. Presumably, if she continues to remain symptom free, she will return to school next week.

In addition, we have, within the past hour, been made aware of a student at Northwest Elementary who while attending an out of town event, came in contact with an individual who had contracted COVID-19. They were also recommended to self-quarantine until March 14th.

In the meanwhile, and for the foreseeable future, we will continue to follow CDC best practices and recommendations from State Superintendent of Schools, Richard Woods.

In addition, our custodians are doubling down on sanitation of school buses, common areas, and frequently touch surfaces.

Read our complete coverage on COVID-19.

For more Murray County news, visit here.

 

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