Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Students, Staff, Parents, and Community Members:

Please click on the SD Department of Health’s webpage (SDDOH’s webpage on COVID-19), to access the number of positive and negative tests regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Dakota.  The site will also show the number of people that have recovered, were hospitalized, and have died from COVID-19.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day.  There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19.  At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it.  Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy.”

More information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on COVID-19 is available here.

Our schools, along with local health care providers and our state health department play an important role in health promotion and virus prevention of COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses by slowing the spread of diseases to help ensure students have safe and healthy learning environments.

What can we do to prevent the spread of respiratory illness?

·                     Wash hands for 20 seconds.  Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs.  If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol. 

·                     Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  Germs spread this way. 

·                     Cover coughs and sneezes.  Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue.  When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.  Follow up by cleaning hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

·                     Getting a flu vaccine.  It is currently flu and respiratory disease season and the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.

·                     Stay home when you are sick.  If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.  You will help prevent others from catching your illness.  Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

·                     Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects.  Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. 

Following are three links to additional handouts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):

1)      What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  https://5il.co/dd7s

2)      Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019.  https://5il.co/dd7u

3)      Stop the spread of germs—help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19.  https://5il.co/dd7v

The Beresford School District follows the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the South Dakota Department of Health, and local healthcare providers to address public health concerns.  As a District, we will continue to work with these agencies to monitor COVID-19 and take steps as necessary. 

Sincerely,

Brian Field, Superintendent

Beresford School District