|
Local Public Health and Public School Systems agree to follow new CDC guidelines for Schools |
|
|
|
Tuesday, 05 May 2009 |
|
Health experts and school officials across the nation have learned more each day about the characteristics of the H1N1 virus. Based on this new information, on May 5 the CDC revised its guidance for school closings. The Hall County School System, Gainesville City School System and District 2 Public Health have been in consultation and have agreed to follow these new CDC recommendations:
• CDC no longer recommends that communities or schools with a laboratory-confirmed case of influenza H1N1 close schools or daycare facilities. Schools previously closed may reopen.
• Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days, even if symptoms resolve sooner.
• Schools should focus on early identification of ill students and staff and send them home.
• Schools should utilize this event as an opportunity to educate students, staff and parents on good hygiene practices, which include covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands, and cleaning common surfaces that may harbor germs.
Public Health will continue to monitor the situation, and will issue revisions to these guidelines if indicated.
Go To CDC Site for Compete List of Recommendations
 Official Release from Public Health
|
