By Gregory Childress
gchildress@heraldsun.com; 918-1046
CHAPEL HILL -- Like school districts across the state, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is taking extra care to prevent an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.
This week, Stephanie Willis, the district's health care coordinator, sent a letter to teachers advising them to remain ever-vigilant in the fight against H1N1.
Parents can expect a similar letter to be sent home with students Tuesday, the first day of classes for city schools students.
"We had three cases during the last weeks of school, so we had to start thinking about this," Willis said.
In addition, the message about preventing the spread of H1N1 will be delivered via PTA newsletters and through electronic messages the school district sends to the public.
The district's custodial staff has been instructed to use a 1:10 ratio bleach solution for disinfectant wiping.
"We need to be cleaning surfaces appropriately and everyone should be washing their hands and practicing proper respiratory etiquette," Willis said. "There will continue to be concerns, and I think any public place is going to be faced with the same concerns."
Here is a list of strategies teachers and other school personnel have been given to help block the spread of H1N1:
n Students and staff must stay out of school for at least 24 hours fever-free, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. This includes those who are taking antiviral drugs. Anti-viral agents shorten the course of illness, but do not prevent viral contagion. This is consistent with the school district First Aid policy.
n Anyone who appears to have a flu-like illness will be separated from others and asked to wear a surgical mask until leaving the school building, keeping a 6-foot distance from others wherever possible.
n Students should practice good hand hygiene and be provided the time and supplies to wash hands after sneezing or coughing, before eating, and after toileting, or as often as necessary. Soap and water is recommended with use of hand-sanitizer when on field trips or away from a source of running water.
n Students should cover their mouths and noses with tissues or elbows when coughing or sneezing, with easy access to tissues in the classroom. Reminder signs will be available to post near sinks and in classrooms. Educate students on hand-washing and the spread of germs at the start of the school year.
n Include hygiene supplies in your "wish list" to parents. Parents may want to provide tissues, alcohol hand sanitizer, hand-wipes, and liquid soap to ensure there is an abundant supply.
n Custodians are instructed to use a 1:10 bleach solution, mixed daily, for disinfectant wiping. Other effective disinfectant agents that include "tuberculocidal" in the label may be used in the classroom but must be stored under lock where students do not have access to them. Students should not be assigned to do surface cleaning, including the cleaning of cafeteria tables. That is an adult responsibility.
n Record daily attendance in NCWise as early as possible in the day. Daily absentee rates will be shared with Orange County Health Department to watch for trends in absenteeism. Report names of absent students known to be sick to your school nurse.
n Please make sure that you have updated contact information for all students, including e-mail and phone. Develop a communications list for all students with the most efficient way to get in touch with parents: phone, e-mail, and/or hard copy notice.
