March 2, 2020

Coronavirus Information

We value the health and well-being of our students, staff and families. As you may be aware, many regions around the world are experiencing an expanding outbreak of respiratory illness caused by coronavirus and several confirmed cases have been identified in the State of Washington. Symptoms of the illness are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. This virus can spread from person-to-person and the number of cases detected in the United States and many other countries is growing.

The district and our skilled nursing staff take this health risk very seriously and are monitoring this emerging issue closely. We are working with local, state and national health agencies on prevention and district management in the event of an outbreak in our community. Our district follows health care expert guidance and practice recommendations. We are sharing this information so you are aware and can help reduce the spread of infection.

Preventing the spread of the coronavirus is the same as preventing the spread of a cold, influenza, and other respiratory viruses. Please look below for specific information about personal prevention methods. As always, the Wenatchee School District custodial staff use antibacterial/antiviral cleaners to sanitize door knobs, sinks, toilets, and other school surfaces. We take instructions on preserving public health from the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) and the Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD). Should we receive direction from WSDOH or CDHD to add to our current custodial cleaning system, we will do that immediately.

Prevention Methods 

• Do not bring your student to school if they do not feel well or have cold or flu-like symptoms (elevated temperature, fever, cough, shortness of breath). Keep your student home.
• Do not come to work at the school if you do not feel well or have cold or flu-like symptoms (elevated temperature, fever, cough, shortness of breath). Stay home.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If you do not have soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Sneeze and cough into a tissue, elbow or sleeve instead of your hands. 
• Throw used tissues in a garbage container immediately after use. If you use your hands to cover a sneeze or cough, wash your hands immediately with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes, touching your nose or putting your fingers by or in your mouth.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

 
The Washington State Department of Health has established a hotline with a live person to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call the WSDOH hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press # then press 2. You will be connected to a live person. This hotline is open from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm.

Department of Health
Chelan-Douglas Health District Press Release

WSD will continue to share information about this emerging public health issue with staff, parents and our community, (facts/resources are on all school and district websites). We are in communication with local public health officials to stay abreast of any changes or developments in this area and are committed to sharing these updates, as needed.