As we continue to monitor the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, the Suffield Public Schools, Town of Suffield, and the North Central Connecticut Health District are working in partnership to prepare for this growing concern among our schools and community. The safety and well-being of Suffield residents is our highest priority, and our efforts together will significantly enhance our ability to minimize the risk of exposure of this international health emergency. While the risk of transmission is extremely low based on the numbers of infected individuals in the United States, eleven as of today, we are closely watching the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for ongoing updates regarding this matter.
We recognize that reports of more confirmed cases within the United States are likely in the near future, and we are hopeful that the preventative measures being taken will aid in the containment of this contagious respiratory illness. In preparation for a potential outbreak, we will be reviewing and updating our pandemic plans in the event a local response is required. The First Selectwoman, our Emergency Management Director, local health and safety officials, and school district administration will be meeting this week to review the response plans and communication protocols should they be deemed necessary for use. In the meantime, information and updates will be posted on both the Town of Suffield and Suffield Public Schools websites. Important to note, there have been no reports of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Connecticut and we are hopeful that this will remain the case in the future.
In our efforts to educate the public on this health hazard and provide useful and up-to-date information, we have added several important links to the Suffield Public Schools website. They can be accessed under the “Emergency” tab located at the upper right hand corner of our homepage. Links to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, North Central Connecticut Health District, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization will be made available by the conclusion of today, Monday, February 3, 2020. In addition, there will be additional information provided by the First Selectwoman through a community-wide notification in the near future. Please note that the Town Emergency Management Director will serve as the primary point of contact in the event that an emergency response becomes necessary.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the preventative methods that can be taken to minimize the spread of any virus:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home when you are sick, and see a doctor;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Suffield Public Schools or Town of Suffield protocols on this correspondence, please feel free to contact us.