East Indy News

Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County recently issued the following announcement.

In late February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discussed possible options for what could happen if there is local person-to-person transmission of coronavirus in the United States, including recommendations for school systems to consider.

At this time, it is important to listen to facts and not respond to fear. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Indiana. The CDC, Indiana State Department of Health, and the Hancock County Health Department believe the risk to Hoosiers remains low. However, transmission of the virus in other countries has raised our level of concern. We are preparing for the possibility of person-to-person transmission in our area.

The measures put in place should local person-to-person transmissions begin will depend on the number of individuals affected in our schools and the severity of illness we experience in our community.

The Indiana State Department of Health is preparing for all possible scenarios. Our administration will continue to monitor the situation and communicate about any possible impact to our schools and the community. The district will be following these guidelines for schools established by the Hancock County Health Department.

There are no plans to close schools at this time. This is an extreme measure that can be disruptive to day-to-day life. Any decision to close school will be at the direction of public health experts, including the State Department of Health.

We encourage everyone to continue to practice general flu prevention measures including:

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve
• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Get your flu shot – it’s never too late!
• Stay home if you’re feeling sick
• Call your doctor if you're feeling sick to let them know your symptoms and travel history

Please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus for important updates about coronavirus and the risks associated with the disease.

Original source can be found here.