AUBURN, Calif. — All schools in Placer County are closing for three weeks in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Placer County Superintendent Gayle Garbolino-Mojica announced Friday.
The closures impact at least 74,900 students and 4,370 staff, according to figures from the California Department of Education. The announcement comes the same day that Sacramento and Solano counties said their schools will also be closed for the next three weeks.
Schools will be contacting families about services and resources available to them during the closures, including distance learning options and meals, Garbolino-Mojica said in a press release.
"We are taking this action based on what is known at this time about the transmission and severity of the illness to best protect our school communities," Garbolino-Mojica said. "The most effective way to slow the transmission of this virus is to implement social distancing practices. We won’t take chances when it comes to the health and safety of our students."
The release from the superintendent directs students and family to follow the California Department of Public Health's recommendations for social distancing.
The release also advises parents to be mindful in childcare decisions to avoid exposing vulnerable persons, such as grandparents, to children.
"Please be patient and be kind to one another," Garbolino-Mojica said. "The safety and wellness of our students and staff are a priority, and we thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment."
CORONAVIRUS BACKGROUND:
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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