People with general questions about COVID-19 can call the Rhode Island Department of Health at 401-222-8022. (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm) After hours: Call 211
COVID-19 Update
March 13, 2020
As a result of new information shared by Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), and Governor Raimondo, we are making the following recommendations:
- According to Governor Raimondo, over the next few weeks, we will be taking “stringent preventative measures” to contain the spread of the virus.
- We need to continue focusing on prevention by frequently washing our hands, frequently using hand sanitizer, coughing and sneezing into a tissue or an elbow, getting a flu shot, and staying home if you are feeling sick.
- All non-essential after school activities will be postponed until further notice. Mandatory meetings such as IEP meetings can take place via teleconference if necessary.
- We are postponing the Kindergarten and Grade 1 Student Registration scheduled for next week (March 18 & 19). A rescheduled date has not been set.
- The Attendance Policy will be waived for illness-related absences until further notice.
- All visitors to Cumberland Schools will be required to answer the following questions before being allowed to enter the school. Have you been out of the country? Have you been in contact with anyone diagnosed with Covid-19? Have you been in contact with anyone who is being tested for Covid-19?
- We are developing a virtual learning plan if we need to close a school or schools as a result of the coronavirus.
- The RIDOH is recommending that students attend school if they are not exhibiting any symptoms of illness.
- Realizing that parents have many questions and concerns about this virus, the RIDOH in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Education is developing a Frequently Asked Question document that will soon be available for parents.
- The CDC has a link that can be helpful for parents on how to talk to their children about this virus and how it is impacting them. https://www.cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/ coping.html#for-parents
For health questions, please contact the Rhode Department of Health (RIDOH) by calling 401-222-8022.
Coronavirus (COVID-19), Cold and Flu: How can you tell the difference?
This is a very fluid situation. Information is literally changing by the hour.
As always, we will keep you updated with any new information related to this virus.
- There is a weekly conference call with Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. There have been two conference calls to date and more will be scheduled as needed. Dr. Alexander-Scott provides updated information and answers questions. The RIDOH has been very helpful and responsive to questions and concerns related to this virus. Here is the link to the RIDOH: https://health.ri.gov/
- We are scheduling regular meetings with school administrators to update them on the most current information being shared by the RIDOH.
- All of our schools are being disinfected on a regular basis with a solution called Green Klean. Green Klean is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and is recommended for use in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, etc. Here is the link for the Go Green Klean website: https://gogreenklean.com/
chlorinated-disinfecting- tablets/ - We have a link on the Cumberland School Department website that provides a wealth of information on the coronavirus: https://cumberlandschools.org/
- We have been in contact with the bus company regarding the cleaning of buses. We have been assured that all buses are cleaned with a disinfectant on a daily basis.
Given the local and national attention with the spread of the virus, it is understandable that students and families have elevated levels of concern. As a result, we encourage all members of our community to take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of exposure.
-
Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.
-
Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu is spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick.
-
Stay home from school or work if you are sick, especially if you have a fever.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
-
Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
-
Get your flu shot, and make sure the people around you do the same.
The Rhode Island Department of Health is encouraging all community members to take the same precautions we would take to prevent exposure to the flu virus, many of which are listed above. We will continue to work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and will follow their guidance. Also, the Center for Disease Control provides a wealth of helpful information regarding the COVID-19 virus. The link to the CDC is https://www.cdc.gov/coronav
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.