Concordia Lutheran High School is working closely with local public health officials to plan and prepare for the possibility of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within our school community. This letter provides general information and prevention recommendations to raise awareness of COVID-19 and everyday actions everyone can take to prevent the spread of illness.

 

Mr. Mychal Thom, Head of School, Mr. Patrick Frerking, Principal, and Mrs. Jayne Dwyer-Reff, School Nurse, will be hosting a Facebook Live session at 2 p.m. Monday, March 9 to answer any questions that you may have about Concordia's response to COVID-19. If you cannot tune in at that time, the video will be posted on Facebook immediately following the Live session. Please submit your questions ahead of time by clicking here. We will also answer questions live that day. Tune into our Facebook Live session at www.facebook.com/CLHScadets (you do not need to have a Facebook account to watch). The Facebook Live session is currently posted on the CLHS Facebook page. 

 

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive measures to control the spread of COVID-19. These include:

• Staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with sick people. (Click here to read more from the IDOE about “How Sick is Too Sick”)
• Frequent, proper handwashing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoiding touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands
• Practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve)
• Routinely cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces using usual cleaning/disinfection products according to the product label.

As COVID-19 continues to spread internationally, families may have questions about upcoming travel. The CDC has issued no official recommendations regarding domestic travel at this time. All travelers should practice general preventive measures. Regarding international travel, the CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel health notice. Additionally, anyone returning from travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel health notice will be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. Additional information, as well as a list of countries with health advisories, is available at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

 

Families considering international travel should keep in mind that this situation is rapidly evolving. International travel to areas where COVID-19 is spreading may result in delays or possibly quarantine if travel recommendations change while abroad. If you do travel internationally, you will be notified you if any action needs to be taken upon your return to the United States.

 

More information about COVID-19 is available at https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm or www.cdc.gov/covid-19.

 

Sincerely,

Mychal Thom, Head of School

Patrick Frerking, Principal

Jayne Dwyer-Reff, RN, School Nurse