Some Richland 1 students had indirect contact with coronavirus; schools remain open
Several students in the Richland 1 school district had “indirect contact” with a person who is being tested for coronavirus, officials said Monday.
The five students, who attend Rosewood Elementary, Hand Middle and Dreher High schools, are not experiencing symptoms, but their parents are self-quarantining them to be safe, according to a message Richland 1 sent to parents.
Richland 1 has notified the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and has promised to follow the agency’s guidance on protecting against the spread of disease, according to the message. The district said it is already cleaning and disinfecting all of its schools with EPA-approved products.
The message urged students who are sick to stay home. For everyone else, the district is asking them to wash their hands, cover their coughs and avoid contact with sick people, according to the message.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 2:25 PM.
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