As Gov. J.B. Pritzker issues a formal Disaster Proclamation for Illinois after adding four new cases, bringing the State total to eleven, area schools begin to implement plans in case of an outbreak. One thing stands out, there are no plans in place to cancel classes or events.
In an open letter to students and faculty last Tuesday, Bourbonnais Elementary School District 53’s Assistant Superintendent/ Supplemental Interim Superintendant Administrator Dr. James Duggan wrote:
“It is important to note that there are no identified cases of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) in our community. However, the health and safety of our students is our top priority, so we want to share with you information that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has published for schools throughout the state.”
“Currently, the IDPH recommends schools hold classes and events as usual, and follow routine cleaning and disinfecting procedures; no special measures are necessary. The IDPH also recommends the best way to protect against Coronavirus is by taking the same everyday precautions against getting sick in general.” Dr. Duggan added.
On Thursday, Olivet Nazarene University’s Emergency Management Team requested self-quarantine measures to students and staff that travel overseas during spring break to countries currently under the CDC Level 3 advisory.
“Under the latest CDC guidelines, all students and faculty who travel to countries under the CDC Level 3 travel advisory will be requested to observe a 14-day self-quarantine at their home before being allowed to return to campus or campus activities. As of Thursday, those countries are China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy.” in a statement on Thursday.
We reached out this afternoon to Kankakee Community College to find out how the College would react to an outbreak, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Kari Nugent told us:
“Our planning and considerations are evolving as the situation does, so I’m sure plans may change based (on) how everything unfolds.” Nugent added each major facility at KCC has its action plans to best provide continuity in the event of a facility’s closure.
For more on the Coronavirus and precautionary measures, visit Riverside Healthcare’s website here.
