COVID-19 News and Updates

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COVID Compliance Liaison:

Andy Bakulski, House 1 Assistant Principal

860-379-8525 ex. 2200

Northwest Region 7 School District Health Services

Dorothy Mitchell, RN  
Patricia Severson, RN

Phone: 860.379.8525, ext. 2618 or   ext. 2619
FAX : 860.379.8940

 

Please click here to view Regional School District No. 7 Reopen Plan. 

 

Please click here to view the Regional School District No. 7 Reopen Plan submitted to the State Department of Education. 

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First page of the PDF file: germbuster

Key Times to Wash Hands

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

  • Before, during, and after preparing food

  • Before eating food

  • After you have been in public place and touched an item or surface that might have been touched by others: doors, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts

  • Before you touch your eyes, nose, mouth- that is how germs enter the body

  • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick 

  • Before and after treating a cut or wound

  • After using the toilet

  • After changing diapers

  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

  • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

  • After handling pet food or pet treats

  • After touching garbage

pREVENTING tHE sPREAD OF COVID 19

MorE Mask Info

Vaping and the Corona Virus   

We have all heard of the vaping epidemic in our country.  Those who vape are in dire danger if they get the Covid 19 virus and have increased risk of spreading the virus.  Please use this link and read the info on this topic!  Share it with your family and friends!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vaping-and-coronavirus-symptoms-complications_l_5e94649cc5b6765e95646a6f

While School is Out, Can My Kids Play With Their  Friends?

  • Kids Playing
  • The key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is to practice social distancing. While school is out, children should not have in-person play dates with children from other households. If children are playing outside their own homes, it is essential that they remain 6 feet from anyone who is not in their own household.
  • To help children maintain social connections while social distancing, help your children have supervised phone calls or video chats with their friends.

General principles for talking to children

Talking to Kids

 

Remain calm and reassuring.

  • Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.

Make yourself available to listen and to talk.

  • Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.

Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.

  • Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.

Provide information that is honest and accurate.

  • Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
  • Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.

Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.

  • Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
  • Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
  • Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
    (e.g., increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities)
  • Get children into a handwashing habit.
    • Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
    • If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and child care facilities.

Facts about COVID-19 for discussions with children

Try to keep information simple and remind them that health and school officials are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.

What is COVID-19?

  • COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors and scientists are still learning about it.
  • Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors think that most people will be ok, especially kids, but some people might get pretty sick.
  • Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.

What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?

  • COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems. From what doctors have seen so far, most children don’t seem to get very sick. While a lot of adults get sick, most adults get better.
  • If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home and school will help get you any help that you need.
  • If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call the healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them.

How to clean and disinfect by The CDC

 

Clean

  • Clean surfaces using soap and water. Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

High touch surfaces include:
Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.

Illustratio: hand cleaning a counter using spray bottle

 

Disinfect

  • Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.
  • Recommend use of EPA-registered household disinfectant external icon.
    Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product.
    Many products recommend:
    • Keeping surface wet for a period of time (see product label)
    • Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
  • Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against corona viruses when properly diluted.
    Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
    Leave solution on the surface for at least 1 minute
    To make a bleach solution, mix:
    • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
      OR
    • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
  • Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.

Illustration: soft surfaces - drapes, couch, pillows

 

Soft surfaces

For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes

  • Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.

  • Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

    OR

  • Disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant. These disinfectants external icon meet EPA’s criteria for use against COVID-19.

Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and dinfecting

 

Electronics

For electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, and remote controls.

  • Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics
  • Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting
    • If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.

Illustration: washing machine displaying 'hot'

 

Laundry

For clothing, towels, linens and other items

  • Wear disposable gloves.
  • Wash hands with soap and water as soon as you remove the gloves.
  • Do not shake dirty laundry.
  • Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
  • Dirty laundry from a sick person can be washed with other people’s items.
  • Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces.

Illustration: washing hands

 

Clean hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
    • Always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with a sick person.
  • Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available and hands are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
  • Additional key times to clean hands include:
    • After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After using the restroom
    • Before eating or preparing food
    • After contact with animals or pets
    • Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

When Someone is Sick

Keep separate bedroom and bathroom for sick person

 

Bedroom and Bathroom

Keep separate bedroom and bathroom for sick person (if possible)

  • The sick person should stay separated from other people in the home (as much as possible).
  • If you have a separate bedroom and bathroom: Reduce cleaning to as-needed (e.g. soiled items and surfaces) to minimize the amount of contact with the sick person.
  • If shared bathroom: Clean and disinfect after each use by the sick person. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting.
  • See precautions for household members and caregivers for more information.

Illustration: sick woman in bed with serving tray full of food

 

Food

  • Stay separated: The sick person should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.

  • Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any non-disposable used food service items with gloves and wash with hot water or in a dishwasher.

    Clean hands after handling used food service items.

Illustration: gloved hand disposing trash into garbage pale

 

Trash

  • Dedicated, lined trash can: If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the sick person. Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.

 

 

 

 

PREVENTION

Cover your coughs and sneezes

  • Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
  • Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

washing hands

Clean your hands often

  • Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
  • Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

  • Call ahead: Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.
  • If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor’s office, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.

Clean and disinfect

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Stay home if you’re sick

  • Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.