As fear related to the dreaded Coronavirus has gripped the nation, some local organizations are calmly, yet firmly reacting to those concerns, issuing updates to their various communities of interest.
Chief among the organizations, the Los Alamitos Unified School District, has already issued two updates to parents and their overall community.
“To help you be fully informed, we have posted a Coronavirus Awareness webpage with up-to-date factual information about coronavirus (COVID-19) and expert guidance on how you can take precautions to minimize your risk of infection,” said Supt. Andrew Pulver in an initial email.
“We also will continue to update you on the situation in our District through email, social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and our web page,” he said.
“We greatly appreciate your confidence in our efforts in these uncertain times and thank you for your cooperation and support,” said Dr. Pulver in the initial update.
Pulver later issued a second update, noting that “we understand that our students, families and staff are concerned about the global outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and we want you to know that safeguarding our students’ health is always our top priority.”
Pulver said the system is now “working in close cooperation with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make sure that our District and school staff are receiving the most up-to-date information so that they can protect our kids’ well-being.”
Precautions aside, Pulver is urging parents and educators to keep the threat in perspective.
“There has been only one confirmed case of coronavirus in Orange County,” said Pulver, adding that the “patient has recovered without any evidence of the virus having spread.”
The California Department of Public Health has determined that the health risk to the general public remains low and is not recommending cancellation of school or any public events.
“Given the contagious potential of the virus and its continuing global spread, however, the situation could change. We urge all of you to closely monitor your health, as well as practice the same preventive care recommendations from health experts that we normally do during flu season,” he said.
Pulver provided a proper hand washing update and other precautionary practices urged by public health officials.
“If you or any member of your family develops any symptoms of respiratory illness — especially a dry cough, a fever (over 100F) or difficulty breathing — STAY HOME from work or school and contact a health-care provider immediately by phone. Closely follow their directions about how to obtain treatment and on when to return to school or work.”
Also, the superintendent said the system was “taking a number of preventative actions. We have reemphasized with our custodial staff the importance of thorough cleaning and sanitizing protocols for desks, keyboards, doorknobs, and other frequently touched surfaces in our facilities. We are also making sure all hand sanitizer and restroom soap dispensers are fully stocked, and teachers are actively encouraging their use.”
Pulver also asked people within the educational community “to communicate the following special recommendation from county health officials: If you have been to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea or Italy and feel sick with respiratory symptoms within 14 days of leaving one of these countries, you should telephone your doctor immediately and seek guidance before returning to school or work.”
“Finally,” said Pulver, “we are working closely with county health officials to develop contingency plans for operating our schools in the event coronavirus begins to spread in our area. We will share more information with you in a timely fashion as events dictate.”
Meanwhile, Los Alamitos city council member Dean Grose noted at last week’s State of the City meeting that the city “was monitoring the situation” and was posting updates to the city’s website.
The Event News Enterprise reached out to Los Al Medical Center for an update on any precautions, but at press time, had not received a response.
