SANDPOINT — While the Lake Pend Oreille School District is keeping a close eye on coronavirus reports in the region, district officials said the flu is what’s showing up in local schools.

“We seen some upticks in Influenza A,” LPOSD Superintendent Tom Albertson said. “We’re following the same cleaning protocols [for the novel coronavirus] as we have with the uptick of the flu. It’s definitely on our radar and we’re relying on the experts on how to proceed.”

Albertson said district staff is being extra diligent with cleanliness during the flu season, and the maintenance department has a heightened emphasis on sanitization each evening.

“The crews are already doing a great job but they’re going above and beyond on [cleaning areas where students and staff are present],” he added.

Albertson said the district is following precautions outlined by the Panhandle Health District and district nurse Dana Williams is in contact with the agency on any other precautions the district might need to take, and on a voluntary basis, sanitizing wipes are available for staff who want them to wipe down classroom areas frequently touched.

Policy for contagious or infectious diseases, such as the flu or novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is being followed. That policy requires employees who are sick to not report to work while they are infectious and are encouraged to report any illness which could be readily transmitted. Employees who are sick, and who have knowledge that someone with a compromised or suppressed immunity attends the school, they are required to report their illness so any necessary steps can be taken to protect those involved.

A similar policy is in place for students.

Students and staff are also being reminded to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water, or asked to use an alcohol-based disinfectant. They also are being reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, to not share water bottles and to take the water bottle home at least once a week to be washed in the dishwasher or very hot soapy water.

The bottom line message staff and students should follow?

“Stay home if you don’t feel well, have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing,” Albertson said.

Health experts are concerned about COVID-19 because little is known about the virus and because it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia, health district officials said. To minimize the risk of spread, health officials throughout the country are working with health care providers to quickly identify and evaluate suspected cases.

Symptoms may appear between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus and include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea and in rare cases diarrhea.

The precautions for avoiding COVID-19 are the same as those for avoiding the flu and common cold. Currently, there are no vaccines available to prevent novel coronavirus infections.

As part of Washington state public health system’s response to COVID-19, Northeast Tri County Health District has been monitoring returning travelers for the illness. While one returning traveler met the screening criteria for testing, testing results were negative for COVID-19.

The coronavirus risk in Idaho is low at the this time, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare officials said Friday.

However, the agency said all residents should take precautions to avoid all respiratory diseases, including staying home if you’re sick, avoiding sick people and covering coughs and sneezes with the crook of your elbow or tissue.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.