Port Washington Schools Respond To Coronavirus Outbreak

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — The Port Washington Superintendent is reminding parents of measures to take regarding COVID-19, known as the coronavirus, in a March 3 letter to parents and guardians.

Superintendent Michael Hynes asked in a Feb. 27 letter that parents and families who have travelled to mainland China, other Asian countries, and European countries which have recently been struck with a spike in coronavirus cases like Spain and Italy contact their children's principal or administration.

The March 3 letter reiterates that the district is cleansing and sanitizing every building and high-traffic surfaces like desks and keyboards, and that prevention practices for the coronavirus mirror those for the flu.

"We want to assure the Port Washington community that the District remains in close contact with county, state, and federal health officials regarding our health policies and what we should be doing proactively," Hynes said in the letter.

See the letter here.

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that a second case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in New York. A state lab in Albany confirmed that a man in his 50s who lives in Westchester County tested positive for COVID-19. The 50-year-old man, an attorney who lives in New Rochelle, remains in serious condition at a New York City hospital, Cuomo said. A review of his travel didn't reveal a direct link to watch-list countries, including China, health officials said.

Tensions over how to contain the coronavirus escalated Tuesday in the United States as the death toll climbed to nine, The Associated Press reported. Lawmakers expressed doubts about whether the government can ramp up testing to effectively mitigate the spread. All nine the deaths happened in Washington state and most lived at a nursing home. Overall, the number of infections in the nation climbed to more than 100 across at least 15 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said current symptoms reported for people with COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

The virus is spreading from person to person, and someone who is sick with the virus can spread the illness to others, medical officials said.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the new coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

The CDC recommends preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, such as:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home if sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue away

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

For more information, click here.