Skip To Main Content
Edmonds School District

Information regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Information regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Posted on 01/31/2020


 

Dear Edmonds School District families,

Many of you have heard or seen news about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). We want to assure you we are working closely with the Snohomish Health District to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep our students healthy.

What is happening? 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. There have been multiple cases confirmed in the United States. The CDC and local public health departments have established an Incident Management System to coordinate the public health response in our area. While public health officials consider this to be a very serious public health threat, based on current information, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general public is considered low at this time.

The Washington State Department of Health and Snohomish Public Health District want to ensure our community is aware that they are working to keep us all informed every day. The multi-agency public response to Washington’s first case of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is ongoing. 

What is the Edmonds School District doing?
As a school district, we are in communication with local public health authorities about this virus and we will be informed by Snohomish Health District if there is a concern to our school community. We will work with them to safeguard our school community if any immediate risk presents itself. 

More questions?
The state’s Department of Health has established a call center to address community questions. These questions could include wanting more information about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms. Please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #. The Snohomish Health District has also put together a fact sheet that you may find beneficial. 

Symptoms
For confirmed 2019-nCoV infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus is concerning because it’s a new strain of the virus and can cause pneumonia. Symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Reduce the risk
There are steps people can take to reduce their risk of getting any viral respiratory infections. These include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

It is also important for people to contact a health care provider and stay home if they are presenting with a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It is important for people to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, and wash their hands.

I want to thank our students, families, and staff for doing their part to keep our school communities healthy.

Please take care,

Dr. Kristine McDuffy
Superintendent