Precautionary Coronavirus Cleaning Closes Clover Park Campuses

PUYALLUP, WA — Two Clover Park Tech campuses have been temporarily closed and will be disinfected after a student who presented symptoms similar to those of the COVID-19 coronavirus was placed under quarantine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup Wednesday.

According to a letter from college president Joyce Loveday, the symptomatic student had been to the South Hill campus but not the Lakewood campus. Out of an abundance of caution, both campuses will be disinfected.

As of Tuesday morning, no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Pierce County.

Loveday said custodial staff will perform the cleaning using CDC protocols and anti-viral chemicals that have been approved to kill COVID-19.

Custodial staff will clean and disinfect all bathrooms, classrooms, labs, common areas and offices in both campuses. They will also clean all common touch points including flat surfaces, chairs, tabletops, knobs, handles, railings, buttons and the legs and arms of furniture.

Loveday's letter stated when campuses reopen, disinfecting supplies will be provided for students and community members who want to clean the spaces again, and custodial staff will continually clean touch points.

According to the letter, the college will make a decision at 3 p.m. Wednesday regarding campus operations on Thursday, March 5.

Steps to prevent the infection and stop the spread of COVID-19
(from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department)

• Wash your hands! Do so often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face. Especially with unwashed hands. Your eyes, nose, and mouth are open doors for germs.
• Avoid people who are sick. Steer clear of illnesses if at all possible.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Hold a tissue over your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Then throw that tissue away and, again, WASH YOUR HANDS!
• Clean things. Disinfect objects and surfaces often.
• Stay home if you're sick. This isn't the time to tough it out and leave your home if you're not feeling well.
• Call first. If you or a family member are sick and plan to seek care, call first. Our healthcare partners need to prepare for people who are showing symptoms—or direct you to the appropriate resource.
• Stay informed. Follow and share trusted sources of accurate public health information. Our website is a great place to start: www.tpchd.org/coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus are similar to flu or colds and may include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• A general feeling of being unwell

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in Washington and across the United States:

• Public Health Seattle-King County
• Snohomish County Health District
• Washington State Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention