Officials with the Hall County School District said Thursday they are aware of concerns about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), and they will be ready for the problem if it makes its way to Georgia.
"We're concerned about it, too, but we're choosing to take a calm, deliberate and proactive approach when addressing it, and we feel like we're in a good spot," said Stan Lewis, Director of Communications for the school district.
The district issued a press statement saying they are following guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Georgia Department of Public Health and the State Department of Education.
Per recommendations from the CDC in Atlanta, Hall County Schools assembled a team that is working now on a plan that Lewis said will focus on "prevention and preparation."
Mamie Coker, the Health Services Coordinator for the Hall County School District will lead the team.
Lewis said the plan will include measures designed to minimize the chance of the virus spreading should an outbreak occur in the area, as well as steps the district can take now to protect students and staff. Lewis said the team is comprised of members representing several departments including, emergency management, health services, student services, technology, maintenance, communications and teaching and learning.
Lewis said the school district has experience dealing with outbreaks of illness, pointing to an influenza problem that occurred more than 10 years ago.
"The Hall County School District went through a similar process in 2009 when the flu (H1N1) pandemic threatened to affect our community. Because of that experience, protocols are currently in place to address a pandemic scenario," Lewis said.
In addition, Lewis pointed to the CDC's set of protocols for schools to follow when faced with COVID-19. He said the protocols range in severity from zero to seven - the Hall County School District and the state of Georgia are currently at level zero, which addresses prevention and preparations.
