Carver Elementary Reopens Following Norovirus Outbreak

LONG BEACH, CA — Classes resumed Wednesday at George Washington Carver Elementary School after a Norovirus outbreak shut down the school last week.

Carver's Principal Monica Manipon said during the school's closure two rounds of deep cleaning were conducted — one by a third party on Sunday and another by Long Beach Unified School District custodial services on Monday. As part of the cleanings, Manipon said manipulatives such as blocks and other learning aids were included in the cleanings.

"The safety and well being of our Carver Cougars continues to be my number one priority. I am confident that with the added measures, we will decrease the number of cases and in turn be able to lift all restrictions," Manipon said in a letter to parents.

Last week when the closure was announced, officials said a health screening process would be implemented Wednesday morning when students returned. Additional safety measures will also be implemented until health officials direct otherwise, according to Manipon.

The restrictions include:

• Wellness checks performed before entering the campus and classrooms;
• Field trips and after school programs are postponed;
• Communal water fountains are closed;
• Playground equipment and structures are closed;
• Students are not allowed to co-minlge with classes at recess, lunch or after school;
• No use of communal supplies;
• VIPs are not allowed on campus

If a student is still experiencing symptoms of norovirus, officials advised families to keep them at home and notify the school as soon as possible.

Norovirus is highly contagious, according to the health department, and spreads primarily through direct and indirect contact with an infected person's feces or vomit. The virus causes sudden vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain.

Symptoms manifest between 12 to 48 hours after a person has come into contact with the virus and can last up to three days Long Beach Health officials said. There is no treatment for norovirus specifically, but the health department advised people who are sick to stay hydrated to replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea.