Coronavirus Disease 2019-2020 (COVID-19) and other Communicable Diseases
CANEY VALLEY SCHOOL
P.O. Box 410
Ramona, Oklahoma 74061 ·
(918) 536-2500
March 11, 2020
Dear Caney Valley Public School Community and Patrons:
Regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019-2020 (COVID-19) and other communicable diseases, we believe it is best to be prepared with preventative, containment and management measures. The health, well-being, and safety of our students, staff, and families are of utmost importance. Therefore, it is essential to pass on safety precautions that the district will carry out have been advised and/or instructed by state and federal agencies.
We understand this is a global virus and there are confirmed cases within the United States to include Oklahoma. Per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "COVID-19 is a new disease which we are learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes and to what extent it may spread in the United States."
What we have been advised by the CDC is that if an individual who is exposed to the virus then contracts it, symptoms show within 2-14 days. The symptoms include – fever of 100.0 degrees or higher; shortness of breath; and cough. For more information, please access the CDC's website which is updated daily: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
According to the CDC, contraction is mainly through person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets but, “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads." Therefore, we are increasing the frequency of our cleaning and disinfectant practices within the schools.
If any of our Caney Valley School community members have recently traveled or intend to travel to a level 2 or 3 countries then those individuals should self-quarantine from our schools for 14 days upon return to help reduce the potential spread of the virus. Please be advised this also applies to our community members that will be traveling to Level 2 and Level 3 countries during Spring Break (March 16-20, 2020). For an updated list of current Level 2 and 3 countries, as determined by the CD https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
STEPS FOR RETURNING TRAVELERS FROM Level 2 or Level 3 COUNTRIES, per the CDC.
1. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also, watch for a cough or trouble breathing.
2. Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your district before returning to work or school.
3. Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
4. Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
5. Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet).
District employees may use available sick leave during the 14-day self-quarantine period. Students will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Please communicate individual needs with your school principal. If a staff member or student has been exposed to COVID-19, contact the Washington County Health Department, a (918) 335-3005 and your physician.
Please continue to exercise good hygiene practices washing hands, avoid touching face, do not share drinks and be careful when using public water fountains.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our students and staff healthy and safe. We will send additional information as it is available and needed.
Respectfully,
J Michael McClaren
Interim Superintendent, Caney Valley Schools