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This post includes all email communications to our parents regarding the novel coronavirus (CoVid19).
Admiral Farragut Academy is taking all precautions necessary to attempt to minimize exposure to the coronavirus.
Steps include:
- Limiting travel during Spring Break (keeping internationals on campus).
- Continuous deep cleaning of dormitories and classrooms on a regular basis.
- Educating our community on ways to prevent cold and illnesses (washing hands, avoiding touching of the face, keeping children and employees home when sick, staying clear of sick people, etc.).
- Offering a summer program for international students with the start date immediately following the school year through the entire summer.
Video to understand the virus
Email sent March 2, 2020
Dear Farragut Families,
As promised, we are continuing to monitor the situation with the novel coronavirus (CoVid19). Recently two probable cases have been identified in the Tampa area. One case in Hillsborough County and one in Pasco County. I want to assure you that our school is keeping track of this situation through proven and trustworthy sources: our local health department, the Florida Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At this time, the risks to our school community continues to be low.
Updated information from the CDC on coronavirus in the United States can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/
Much is being learned about this newly emerged virus. Based on the current information, health officials are recommending local communities and schools should take the same steps to protect against coronavirus as we take to prevent the spread of everyday illnesses like the common cold or the flu:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Keep your child home when sick.
- No student should return to school until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin.
- Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The 2019 novel coronavirus is believed to be spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, much in the way the flu and other respiratory viruses are spread. Symptoms can be fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
The administration meets daily to create a plan of action, preventive care, and ways to share the information with the school and community to keep everyone well informed.
While a new type of illness can be frightening, we can protect our students, teachers, and the broader community by using simple everyday actions that protect people from other types of respiratory viruses. The teachers and staff are working to encourage these simple and effective habits of frequent handwashing, covering every cough or sneeze, and cleaning classroom tables/surfaces frequently. We have stepped up these measures with our cleaning crews and our day to day habits. This is important not just to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, but to help prevent the spread of other infections that can lead to student illness and absences.
Additionally, with spring break right around the corner, you can access CDC travel advisories at:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
As always, please feel free to reach out should you have any concerns.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Douglass, BSN, RN
Director of Student Health Services
Admiral Farragut Academy
sdouglass@farragut.org
Email sent February 26, 2020
Dear Admiral Farragut Families,
We are aware of the general concern regarding the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The health and safety of students and our school community is our highest priority.
Coronaviruses are quite common, but the latest strain—the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)— can cause severe respiratory illness. Fever is also a common but not universal symptom. The recent outbreak, centered in Wuhan in Hubei Province, China, has generated numerous confirmed cases in China. At this time, there are confirmed cases on all continents except Antarctica. Individuals who enter the U.S. and Canada who may have been exposed are undergoing screening and evaluation.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Public Health Agency of Canada are authoritative sources of information about the spread of the virus, as well as advice for individuals, communities, and organizations. The WHO has declared a health emergency in China, but has not classified the outbreak a global health emergency. According to these various sources, as of this writing, the immediate public health risk in the U.S. and Canada is low. The risk of influenza, which is very active in the U.S. at this time, is greater than the new-coronavirus.
As our spring break approaches, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you of our efforts to keep our school healthy and safe as the 2019-nCoV continues to spread beyond China.
Because of the number of students from Asia who are boarding students enrolled at Admiral Farragut Academy, we have chosen to be proactive and ask any student from Asia who are boarding students to not return home during spring break. If a student from Asia does return home during spring break, he/she has been asked not to return and finish the school year remotely. This is for the protection and safety of all students, faculty and staff. We are also monitoring any overseas travel by any of our employees and students for any planned trips to Asia.
Realistically, we cannot monitor the travel of all AFA families. We respectfully ask you to notify the school infirmary if you will be traveling in an “at risk” country or have unfortunately been exposed to the new coronavirus either through travel or guest in your home.
The school is closely monitoring international and national advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and staying in close contact with the local health department.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Douglass, BSN, RN
Director of Student Health Services
Admiral Farragut Academy
sdouglass@farragut.org