The Mississippi Department of Education provided guidance this week to school districts regarding prevention measures and preparation in the event of a local outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
There are currently no cases in Mississippi, but the serious flu strain that originated in China has been rapidly spreading throughout the world.
The state says students and staff should be encouraged to wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing, and they recommend covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available) and throwing the tissue in the trash after use, followed by hand washing.
School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use, and students and staff who seem to have flu symptoms should be separated from others until they can be sent home.
Those with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school and seek medical attention if the symptoms get worse. Remain home until fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.
The state Education Department said the Mississippi Department of Health instructs schools to consult with their county health department and the state Health Department to determine when it is appropriate to close a school.
See mdek12.org/COVID19 for full guidelines. The site will be updated as new information becomes available.
