Coronavirus Prep: Lakewood Schools Planning With CDC, ODH

© Courtesy of Rick Uldricks Lakewood City Schools are monitoring the new coronavirus and are working with officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ohio Department of Health and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to develop plans to reduce risk.

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood City Schools are monitoring the new coronavirus and are working with officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ohio Department of Health and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to develop plans to reduce risk to the district.

"In everything we do, the safety of our students and staff is always our top concern. In light of that, we want to share an important message about the COVID-19 illness associated with the coronavirus. With the virus having spread outside its origins in China, federal health officials are preparing for a likely outbreak in the United States. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio," the district said in an email to families.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. There are currently no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Ohio.

"The school district is following recommendations from the CDC to daily clean areas and equipment frequently touched by students and staff with antiviral solutions, and encourage students to wash hands often. In addition, we will be adding extra hand sanitation dispensers in our cafeterias," the district said.

Lakewood Schools said parents and children should follow the same health and safety tips they practice during flu season to halt the spread of coronavirus.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

"We also encourage parents to report if their child has a confirmed case a respiratory illness such as the flu, RSV, whooping cough, etc., to help us track viral infections and to better target our sanitizing efforts," the district said.

Nationally, health officials are warning Americans about the possible spread of coronavirus. A Washington man died this week from COVID-19, marking the first known death connected to the illness in the United States as the total number of cases in the country rose to 22, with cases confirmed in individuals who had not traveled to areas affected by the virus.

The virus — which originated in Wuhan, China — has infected at least 83,600 people internationally, and 2,800 people have died, according to the World Health Organization. It is spreading so quickly overseas that infectious disease experts and scientists warn there may be no way to contain it.

Thousands of others across the country are being monitored for the new coronavirus, including 8,400 people in the state of California, and more than 230 people in Massachusetts who may have been exposed to the virus are being monitored and self-quarantined in their homes.