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Cd’A schools increase coronavirus precautions

DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 5 months AGO
by DEVIN WEEKS
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | March 12, 2020 1:14 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d'Alene School District has ramped up cautionary measures against coronavirus while staying focused on education and infection prevention.

Handrails, water fountains, desktop surfaces and anywhere hands frequently touch are constantly being wiped down.

"In all our buildings, we've stepped up that routine maintenance," said Coeur d'Alene School District communications director Scott Maben. "We’re making sure soap, tissues, hand sanitizers are all replenished as needed throughout every building. They're really staying on top of it and focusing their efforts with disinfectants that work against coronavirus."

The district released a "Coronavirus Update" on Wednesday to answer questions and "hopefully reassure families that we do have plans in place."

"We know people are concerned about coronavirus, generally," Maben said. "We do have some parents who have reached out wondering how we're preparing for the possibility of local cases."

The newsletter captures much of the information the district has shared on its website, www.cdaschools.org.

"It's just another way to make sure we're reaching the families of students in our district," he said.

The growing concern in the community is obvious. By Wednesday afternoon, the newsletter had been viewed about 10,400 times.

"That shows how much interest there is in the topic right now, and in monitoring and keeping tabs on what we're communicating," Maben said.

The Coronavirus Update reminds families:

•Keep sick children at home — Anyone showing symptoms of any illness is recommended to stay home for at least 24 hours without fever.

•If students exhibit illness or coronavirus symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), parents or guardians will be contacted to pick them up immediately.

•Wash hands with soap often for at least 20 seconds.

•Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

•Cover your cough/sneeze with tissues; throw away the tissue and wash your hands.

•Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

•Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

•Avoid contact with sick people.

Maben said the district is tracking absences daily, but has not seen any spikes or anything above the usual rates for this time of year. Absences have stayed under 6 percent for elementary schools this week and last, which is on par with last year when the absence rate was just more than 6 percent.

"For secondary, we averaged 6.3 percent last week," he said. "We saw a little jump last Friday, but we know that was because (there was) no K-5 school that day, so some older siblings were out to look after younger kids, or families decided to travel. Secondary is right at 6 percent this week."

Maben emphasized that anything the district does regarding coronavirus is at the recommendation of public health experts, including Panhandle Health District and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

photo

A water fountain at Dalton Elementary gets a wipedown Tuesday. The Coeur d’Alene School District is increasing its efforts to protect against coronavirus, including the constant cleaning of fountains, handrails and other frequently touched surfaces. (Photo courtesy of Coeur d’Alene School District)

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