A coronavirus describes a large number of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illness. But there are coronaviruses that have caused more severe illness, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Novel Coronavirus 2019 is a new coronavirus and can cause pneumonia. Other terms you may see used to name this virus include: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, or 2019-nCoV.

 COVID-19 is not connected to race, ethnicity or nationality. Stigma will not help to fight the illness. Misinformation can spread faster than disease. Do your part to prevent this. Seek—and share—accurate information.

 WA DOH Fact Sheet

COVID-19 Informational Video

Based on Thurston County Health Department Guidelines

Governer Inslee ordered all schools closed to help stop the spread of the novel corona virus. All schools and district facilities will be closed from March 16th through April 24th.

Yes. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has cancelled testing for the 2019-20 school year. 

Yes. A sack lunch and breakfast will be served at all five (5) elementary schools today from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for all children age 0-18. You do not need to be a Centralia School District student to have access to this meal program. 

The meals will be handed out together (lunch for the day, and breakfast for the next). Children must be present to be handed the sack meals, and meals cannot be consumed at the schools to comply with social distancing. 

We will be offering this service every weekday through the closure. If demand is high, we are looking at ways to expand our meal service. If This is what you are looking for, please reach out via email to schoolclosure@centralia.wednet.edu. 

SERVICE LOCATIONS:

Edison Elementary: 607 H Street

Fords Prairie Elementary: 1620 Harrison 

Jefferson Lincoln Elementary: 400 W. Summa

Oakview Elementary: 201 E Oakview Ave.

Washington Elementary: 800 Field Ave.

FACILITY USE BY OUTSIDE GROUPS IS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

In order to maximize our resources towards the cleaning of our schools, we will be cancelling all external rentals and use of our district facilities. Please note: this includes field use. It is important to enable our custodians to focus on the daily strategic cleaning and disinfecting required of them and to conserve cleaning supplies. 

We are so thankful for our custodians' dedication to thier work. 

3/12/20

There are no confirmed cases in Lewis County.

This is a respiratory illness. Symptoms include cough, fever, and/or difficulty breathing. The degree of severity of these symptoms varies. This disease can cause pneumonia. There have been deaths from this illness. However, most cases (80%) do not appear to be severe. People may experience symptoms similar to a cold or the flu.

Based on Tacoma-Pierce Health District guidelines

Most often, it is spread from person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets can land in the mouth or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Often, with most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).

Based on Thurston County Health Department Guidelines

Washington State recently established testing for the coronavirus at the Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline, so the capacity and timeline for testing has improved. The criteria for being considered a person under investigation (PUI) for coronavirus has changed and may continue to change, and the criteria outlines who should be tested. More information is available from the CDC. Local health officials also have the authority to request testing, and the Lewis County Health Department works in coordination with medical providers in Lewis County on novel illnesses like coronavirus as well as other notifiable conditions.

 Those who are being tested for COVID-19 are to remain isolated at home while results are pending. Others who live with them but are not ill will only be required to quarantine if the test results are positive.

 It is important that people who are not ill not go to the clinic or hospital seeking coronavirus testing. If you are ill and believe you may have been exposed to coronavirus call ahead to your medical provider before coming in.

 People who are ill only with mild symptoms also should NOT immediately go to a clinic, hospital or Health District seeking coronavirus testing. Doing so displaces other patients who truly need urgent care and increases the risk of spread of respiratory infections in health care settings.

Based on Tacoma-Pierce Health District guidelines

You can help your school’s efforts to minimize the spread of illness. The best steps you can take are the same ones that help prevent other respiratory illnesses like the flu. This includes all students, staff, and families being vigilant in:

• Washing your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Staying at home away from others if you are sick
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces, especially “high touch” ones like doorknobs, counters, light switches, or remotes
• Covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throwing the tissue in the trash and washing your hands

Based on Thurston County Health Department Guidelines

Hard surfaces and frequently touched areas such as stair rails and doorknobs are wiped down with a disinfectant solution multiple times a day. Cafeteria surfaces are disinfected before and after each lunch. Busses are wiped down daily.

In addition, here is a list of areas our school custodians clean daily:

• All doorknobs
• All elevator buttons
• All dispensers
• All handrails
• All crash bars on doors
• All drinking fountains
• All light switches
• All sink faucets
• All Urinal/toilet handles

It is natural to be concerned about a new illness. If you would like to talk with someone, the following mental health services are available to students and staff:

• Students can talk with their school counselor or school nurse
• Families and parents can call the Washington State Department of Health’s Coronavirus hotline (staffed 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) at 1-800-525-0127.
• Staff can access our district Employee Assistance Program. EAP is company-sponsored, confidential and provided at no charge to you and your dependents. Confidential Help Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week : 1-800-777-4114

We are developing contingency plans so we are ready to respond if widespread illnesses cause greater impacts. These plans include responses to significant staff absences, school closures, or other circumstances that affect our ability to operate school as usual. We are hopeful that we will not have to utilize these plans, but it is critical to be prepared. We continually seek guidance from our local ESD, OSPI, CDC, and DOH.

This is an evolving situation. Stay up to date by consulting the following webpages:

Lewis County Health Department

Tacoma-Pierce Health Department

WA State Department of Health

CDC and Prevention