WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools has released a statement regarding its response plan for coronavirus.

This past week, WCS assembled a small team to review logistics and many of the facets that could impact the corporation’s schools.

Warsaw Community Schools is working closely with local, state and national public health officials to ensure best practices and preventative measures for the safety of students and staff. WCS continually monitors and assesses as schools plan and prepare for the possibility of novel coronavirus within the school community.

According to a statement from WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, WCS has formed a district task force to proactively plan for student needs during cold and flu season as suggested by the CDC and IDOE.

Custodians are using approved and recommended disinfectant sprays; each school targets priority areas with approved additional sprays; schools use a victory electrostatic sprayer; and buses are also disinfected after every route. The corporation also has a sufficient inventory of disinfecting products.

WCS is also aware of one case identified in Noble County. According to Galen Mast, West Noble School Corporation superintendent, the patient has no school-aged children.

The Indiana Department of Education is working under the directive of Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health to provide guidance to schools regarding COVID-19.

In their statement, Warsaw Schools provided general information and prevention recommendations to raise awareness of COVID-19 and everyday actions everyone can take to prevent the spread of illness. Coronavirus disease 2019 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 through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for novel coronavirus.

It may be possible that a person can get coronavirus 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 recommends everyday preventive measures to control the spread of coronavirus. These include:

• staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with sick people;
• 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 (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.

Warsaw Community Schools is committed to the health and safety of students and staff. The corporation will continue to closely monitor the situation with local and state health departments and keep the community abreast of any further developments with postings at warsawschools.org.