ZPCD is closely monitoring nCoV and general flu conditions by way of communication with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Lake County Health Department.

In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community, we are taking steps to reduce the risk of introduction of this virus, as well as the spread of other strains of the flu. As we do so, we want to keep the school functioning in a normal manner, and need your help. 

Flu Signs and Symptoms

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Tiredness

Note: If your child develops any symptoms of the flu, it is best for all if they remain home. All students must be fever free without the use of Tylenol or Motrin for 24 hours in order to return to school.

Coronavirus Signs and Symptoms

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Note - According to the CDC, symptoms of Coronavirus can begin to appear anywhere between two to 14 days after exposure.

To prevent the spread of illness, we will be implementing the following recommendations:

Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: 

We will be emphasizing the importance of the basic foundations of illness prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water, use hand sanitizer if soap is not available, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. 

Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: 

People at high risk for flu complications who become ill with a flu-like illness will be encouraged to speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.

Stay home when sick: 

Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. (For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html). 

Routine cleaning: 

School staff will routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with solvents that mitigate the spread of germs.

Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Direct your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
• Direct your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or their elbow.
• Be alert to the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit; 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea. These symptoms usually come on quickly.
• Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing medications. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected. Any students who are discovered to have flu symptoms while at school will be sent home.
• If the flu becomes more severe and/or widespread, we may take additional actions. For now, the school is taking reasonable steps as suggested by the CDC to keep our school functioning as usual.

Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline

The Illinois Department of Public Health, in coordination with the Illinois Poison Control Center, have launched the Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline and email to answer questions, share facts, and provide up-to-date information from the CDC. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Hotline: 1-800-889-3931
• Email: DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV 

Below is a link library to web-pages with more information. 

Illinois Department of Public Health Update of Feb. 26, 2020

http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

Guidance for Illinois Students Regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus

http://dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/2019-nCoV%20Guidance%20for%20Students%2002.05.2020%20IDPH.pdf

Coronavirus Prevention and Treatment

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

Coronavirus NY Times report

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html 

Thank you for your efforts to keep all members of the ZPCD community in good health. Although we can’t eliminate the spread of these viruses, our collective efforts can significantly minimize their reach and overall impact.