January 27, 2020 In light of the global health related concerns of the coronavirus, the Department of Public Health (DPH) has been working closely with the Health Services Division of Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) to provide factual information and recommendations all Los Angeles County Public Schools. Following is what the x x x has been advised: Factual Information from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: ● The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Los Angeles County. ● The infected person presented themselves for care once they noticed that they were not feeling well and are currently receiving medical treatment. ● There is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required, and people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness. ● Los Angeles residents, students, workers, and visitors should continue to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene as this is the height of flu season across the County. ● “As with other respiratory illnesses, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of getting sick from circulating viruses, including coronavirus. This includes remaining home when ill, washing hands with soap and water frequently, and getting vaccinated against the flu," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. ● "Because novel coronavirus is new, we are learning more each day about transmission patterns and incubation periods. We will keep everyone informed as more information becomes available. The risk of transmission of coronavirus in LA County remains low," she added. ● Public Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, state and local agencies to monitor this
novel coronavirus that has emerged from Wuhan, China over the past few weeks. ● This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. Recommendations for Los Angeles County Public Schools: DPH and LACOE have recommended schools follow these guidelines to keep our children, staff members, and our schools safe: ● Students should not be excluded from school or any activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel (including travel to Wuhan City, China). ● Students with travel to Wuhan City, China should only be excluded if they have symptoms of respiratory illness. ● Students and staff should not wear masks to protect themselves. Masks are not an effective method of general prevention. LA County Public Health does not recommend the use of masks for general prevention. Handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases. ● FAQ handouts in English: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ.pdf FAQ handouts in Chinese: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/NovelCoronavirusFAQTradC hinese.pdf FAQ handouts in Spanish: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ-SPN.pdf ● “As with other respiratory illnesses, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of getting sick from circulating viruses, including coronavirus. This includes keeping children at home when ill, washing hands with soap and water frequently, and getting vaccinated against the flu," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. ● Students exhibiting respiratory symptoms (coughing) and fever while at school will be directed to the School Health Office to see the School Nurse. ● Once the child is at the School Health Office, health practitioners will take precautions to identify the extent of illness and will contact the student’s parent if the student is deemed to have any contagious illness. x x x x will continue to work closely with DPH and LACOE to ensure that we have the most current factual information and up to date protocols. We will keep parents, staff, and community informed as more information becomes available.
● Students and staff should not wear masks to protect themselves. Masks are not an effective method of general prevention. LA County Public Health does not recommend the use of masks for general prevention. Handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases.
In light of the global health related concerns of the coronavirus, the Department of Public Health (DPH) has been working closely with the Health Services Division of Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) to provide factual information and recommendations all Los Angeles County Public Schools.
Following is what the x x x has been advised:
Factual Information from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:
● The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Los Angeles County.
● The infected person presented themselves for care once they noticed that they were not feeling well and are currently receiving medical treatment.
● There is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required, and people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness.
● Los Angeles residents, students, workers, and visitors should continue to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene as this is the height of flu season across the County.
● “As with other respiratory illnesses, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of getting sick from circulating viruses, including coronavirus. This includes remaining home when ill, washing hands with soap and water frequently, and getting vaccinated against the flu," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health.
● "Because novel coronavirus is new, we are learning more each day about transmission patterns and incubation periods. We will keep everyone informed as more information becomes available. The risk of transmission of coronavirus in LA County remains low," she added.
● Public Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, state and local agencies to monitor this
novel coronavirus that has emerged from Wuhan, China over the past few
weeks.
● This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes
available.
Recommendations for Los Angeles County Public Schools: DPH and LACOE have recommended schools follow these guidelines to keep our children, staff members, and our schools safe:
● Students should not be excluded from school or any activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel (including travel to Wuhan City, China).
● Students with travel to Wuhan City, China should only be excluded if they have symptoms of respiratory illness.
● Students and staff should not wear masks to protect themselves. Masks are not an effective method of general prevention. LA County Public Health does not recommend the use of masks for general prevention. Handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases.
● FAQ handouts in English: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ.pdf
FAQ handouts in Chinese: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/NovelCoronavirusFAQTradC hinese.pdf
FAQ handouts in Spanish: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ-SPN.pdf
● “As with other respiratory illnesses, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of getting sick from circulating viruses, including coronavirus. This includes keeping children at home when ill, washing hands with soap and water frequently, and getting vaccinated against the flu," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health.
● Students exhibiting respiratory symptoms (coughing) and fever while at school will be directed to the School Health Office to see the School Nurse.
● Once the child is at the School Health Office, health practitioners will take precautions to identify the extent of illness and will contact the student’s parent if the student is deemed to have any contagious illness.
x x x x will continue to work closely with DPH and LACOE to ensure that we have the most current factual information and up to date protocols. We will keep parents, staff, and community informed as more information becomes available.