TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020
THE JOURNAL
A5
VIRUS: ‘We have trained, prepared and put PLANS: Evolving systems in place,’ state health official said FROM PAGE A1
FROM PAGE A1
CDC and state and local officials to limit community spread while continuing with our protocol for identifying travel-related cases in the state.” For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low, according to the CDC, and current data suggests serious illness occurs in 16 percent of cases. “We understand residents will have concerns about this new indication of community spread, however, I urge the public to remain calm and follow recommendations to prevent the spread of illness. Public health events like this one are not new to South Carolina,” Bell said. “As a state, we have responded to Zika, the H1N1 influenza pandemic, SARS and others — including seasonal flu outbreaks — and our medical consultants conduct more than 700 disease investigations each year for a variety of illnesses. We have trained, prepared and put systems in place to ensure that we are prepared and ready to respond to this and other events.” The CDC reported a total of 423 cases in the United States on Monday,
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus outbreak Monday in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. using the latest confirmed numbers from Sunday afternoon. With individual states reporting cases, there may be some discrepancies in the number of cases and people being tested, according to the CDC. In the event of a discrepancy between CDC cases and cases reported by state and local public health officials, data reported by states should be considered the most up to date.
STAY OR GO?
While quarantines may be required for U.S. citizens returning from China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, the CDC hasn’t issued any travel restrictions. It does recommend postponing unnecessary travel to those countries, and people with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune sys-
LAND: Approved FROM PAGE A1
blessing of the state Office of School Facilities. “Coordinating the purchase of multiple parcels certainly had its challenges, but it was well worth it to get what is close to a perfect site for the new Seneca Middle School,” Hanvey said. District superintendent Michael Thorsland said the property “is well worth the investment” due to its proximity to all the Seneca area schools, as well as other positives. “The staff of Seneca Middle and the community as a whole have waited a long time for this,” Thorsland said. “It feels good to take this huge step toward the opening of the new Seneca Middle School.” Seneca Middle School has been in its same location on West South 4th Street, the former home of Seneca High School, since 1989. The building was originally built in 1966. The new middle school property, which has multiple owners, had been held up in probate after one of the owners died prior to the purchase being completed. School district officials say the blueprint for the new Seneca Middle will be similar to West-Oak Middle School, which opened more than a decade ago.
tems should avoid Japan. Warmer weather has rolled in and many minds may be turning to spring break travel, which authorities called a personal decision. “CDC typically posts travel health notices for countries and other international destinations — not conveyances, such as ships, airplanes or trains,” according to its website. “Because of the unusual nature of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. government is advising U.S. travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, to defer cruise ship travel.” AAA reminds those who choose to travel to do so with the thought in mind they may be quarantined upon returning. “Traveling anywhere else is a personal decision you have to make based on all facts available,” AAA public relations manager Julie Hall said. “First and foremost, if you are feeling sick, don’t travel. For travelers considering a cruise vacation, AAA advises that the decision whether to go is a personal one that must be made by the individual. Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA) has announced the adoption of new screening policies for its member cruise lines. Additionally, cruise lines are conducting enhanced illness screenings for many passengers prior to departure.” Hall recommends traveling with insurance documentation and enough medication to last an additional two weeks past the date of return, as well as alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. For those contemplating rearranging spring travel plans, Hall said most travel insurance doesn’t cover epidemics — but many companies are offering waivers. “Customers who purchased ‘cancel anytime’ or ‘cancel for any reason’ insurance prior to Feb. 3, when coronavirus was recognized as an epidemic, or soon thereafter, may be able to cancel their trip and receive reimbursement for a portion of their non-refundable travel deposits,” she said. “If you have a trip already booked, check with your travel providers — cruise line, airline, hotel, etc. — to see what waivers they have put in place.”
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Hanvey told school board trustees Monday night that the goal remains to open the new school in August 2023. But the associate superintendent cautioned that timeline could be subject to change. “It depends on the cost of construction and how much money can be generated in bond sales,” Hanvey said.
“what ifs” surrounding the coronavirus should preventative measures need to be stepped up. In Oconee, those discussions have included canceling or postponing events with large groups of people; canceling travel, particularly field trips; limiting school visitors — parents, mentors and others; and even the possibility of school closure for a period of time, according to district public information officer Jennifer Dodd. “Please be assured, these discussions are taking place so we are prepared — not because they are about to happen in our district,” Dodd said. Decisions to close schools will be made in conjunction with the state education officer and DHEC, South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said. “As a district, we are aware that this is a
rapidly evolving situation in our nation and our state,” Dodd said. “A decision made today may need to be changed tomorrow based on new information. We will work to quickly and efficiently communicate information while doing our best to not contribute to or create panic.” School District of Pickens County spokesman John Eby said the district considers closure of schools for an extended time due to health concerns “to be unlikely, but possible.” “The decision to close schools due to coronavirus would only be made under direct guidance from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control,” Eby said. Eby said if schools were to close, the district “will try to allow as much learning as possible to continue with the strategies and technologies we put in place for digital learning days.”
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