The Winfield school district has rolled out a “Pandemic Virus Plan” in response to coronavirus concerns, according to a social media post from USD 465 Tuesday morning.
The plan was approved by the school board Monday night.
Sunday, a suspected conronavirus case canceled an event planned for William Newton Hospital in Winfield, however, samples sent to the State Health Department tested negative for the virus Monday.
If a pandemic does hit the school district, USD 465 says it will advise school nurses to track student illness-related absences on a regular basis and will notify the City-Cowley Health Department if certain trends arise and such absences may be waived for a period of time.
Such decisions may be district wide or on a building-by-building basis, according to the plan.
Also, sick students and staff who exhibit signs and symptoms of influenza-like respiratory illness will be kept separate from well students and staff until they can leave. Sick students and staff will then be sent home as soon as possible.
The plan also addresses the possibility of closures.
“School closure/dismissal will be made after consultation with the City-Cowley Health Department,” the plan says. “The decision to dismiss school or close a building is made by the Superintendent with approval of the Board of Education.”
The full plan can be read below:
The district also released a letter from Superintendent Dr. Nathan Reed addressing the issue.
“We are closely monitoring information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and proactively working with state and local health departments for guidance on preventative measures for the coronavirus or COVID-19,” Reed stated Monday morning. “USD 465 has a comprehensive plan in place to manage potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
“In the event of an outbreak in our community, the district would seek guidance from our public health agencies on any quarantines, closures or other other health measures as necessary.”
Reed’s full letter can be read below:
