SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Elk Grove Unified School District [EGUSD] announced Saturday that it is moving-up spring break up for its students after learning that an EGUSD family tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
The school district's decision marks the region's first significant closure in Sacramento County.
Because of this decision, several state and local officials representing the Sacramento area held a press conference on Sunday to address concerns over the spread of the virus. However, family members in attendance wanted to know whether EGUSD would reconsider the decision to move spring break and closing schools and shutting down planned school activities, chiefly Sheldon High School's anticipated participation in the statewide basketball tournament.
Sacramento County Department of Health's Dr. Peter Beilenson said he would be speaking with the California Interscholastic Federation [CIF] about whether games can be postponed or some agreement can be reached.
"We will talk with them today based on that," Beilenson said.
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Sacramento County Superintendant David Gordon said that EGUSD's decision was made in haste, but kept in mind what the students need. The state's guidelines do not address when it is appropriate to close a school because of the coronavirus. The guidelines suggest the isolation of possibly infected students and students who have traveled to China in 14 days.
District officials explained that the decision comes following "close collaboration" with several community partners, including Sacramento County health officials, after learning that an EGUSD family member was in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.
The state's guidelines were released hours after EGUSD made their decision.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Gordon assured other schools in the Sacramento region will follow state guidelines and more collaboration is to be expected in any future school closures, should they be warranted.
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
The CDC also says facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus. If you’re not sick, you do not have to wear a facemask. The CDC says the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low.
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