‘Prepared to close.’ How Kentucky schools might respond to coronavirus.

With the threat of coronavirus increasing in the United States, Kentucky’s interim education commissioner reminded district superintendents Thursday that the decision to shut down schools might be out of their hands.

“While decisions about attendance and about when or whether to cancel classes lie with our local districts, the Kentucky Department for Public Health can close schools when they determine that overall public health would be affected,” Interim Education Commissioner Kevin Brown said.

The message was the second memo in a week that Brown sent to Kentucky superintendents and education officials about the possible outbreak of the coronavirus.

Gov. Andy Beshear and state health officials said Thursday that no one has been identified with the coronavirus in Kentucky. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning schools nationwide to prepare for the possibility.

In Kentucky’s second largest district, Fayette County Public Schools, officials are prepared to shut down if need be, district spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall said. Schools closed for two days earlier this month as flu and other illnesses were spreading.

“As with any potential threat to the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff, Fayette County Public Schools works closely with community partners to take appropriate precautions,“ Deffendall said.

“In the case of the Coronavirus, we have been in contact with public health agencies and city officials to review existing pandemic plans and discuss modifications necessary. The district monitors health issues closely and, just as we did in early February, is prepared to close to prevent the spread of illness and to provide time for deep cleaning,” she said.

Deffendall said in the coming days and weeks, the district will be communicating its plans with families, students, staff and the public. In the meantime, as many public health officials have noted, she said universal precautions such as proper hand washing and hygiene are the best way to prevent the spread of any disease.

In Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky’s largest school district, spokeswoman Renee Murphy said officials are in “are in constant contact with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. “

With no reported cases in Kentucky, the immediate health risk is considered low, but Jefferson school officials are following the guidelines set by national and local public health agencies advising school districts to keep any child or adult out of school who has been to China in the past two weeks and exhibits fever and respiratory symptoms, Murphy said.

Brown said there is much anxiety among public school families — students, educators and staff members alike — about the potential for an outbreak of the coronavirus in Kentucky schools.

He said schools deal with outbreaks of illness on a regular basis, such as the flu outbreak that closed many districts this winter. While the coronavirus is new, the same procedures used during flu outbreaks could be of use, he said.

Preparations at the district level should already be in place based on those procedures, Brown said. Districts should have “flu plans” based on guidance from the Kentucky Department of Education, which is typically communicated to district health coordinators, he said. The flu plans provide guidance on when schools should take certain actions or close.

“I want to assure our districts that KDE stands ready to assist you with any actions you deem necessary to protect the health and safety of your students, staff and community, “ Brown said. “We urge our districts to work with their families and their local health departments to construct plans that keep our children and staff safe.”

Brown

told superintendents that in the unlikely event they suspected someone in the district of having coronavirus, they should contact the Kentucky Department for Public Health. He said district officials should stay informed through the CDC and state and local health departments.

In Madison County, school officials “have begun to plan for handling any possible scenario,” said spokeswoman Erin Stewart.

“The district will also be continuing to monitor and track patterns of illnesses at the school level through our school nurses and daily attendance. That is a common practice, but it gives us data on symptoms and possible areas of the district where additional cleaning and disinfecting might be beneficial.”

Stewart said district officials are also gathering resources to share information with students, staff and community if and when they are asked to help with educating the public.

“We will certainly be following any recommendations from the CDC and our local officials as they are given,” she said.

Brown said influenza remains the biggest concern for residents in Kentucky. Flu has killed more than 10,000 people in the United States this year and 53 in Kentucky, including four children. School staff members and students are still being encouraged to obtain the flu shot, he said.

“Because of this year’s flu season,” Stewart said, “we have had to work extra hard to keep our buildings disinfected and as free of germs as possible.”

“Preventing the spread of any contagious virus can be an immeasurable challenge when you have 400 to 600 ...students and adults in one space for so many hours each day,” she said.

Brown said that the best way to stop the spread of germs is by covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash. Washing hands with soap and water, staying home when feeling sick and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces are important in stopping the spread of disease.