Local Schools, Colleges Confront Coronavirus Threat

As Caltech scales back events, other local educational institutions are preparing for the next step in efforts to keep students and faculty safe from the Coronavirus.

“It’s a question of when — not if — some California public schools will face closure because of COVID-19,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a written statement. “School districts must prepare for these scenarios so that parents and children can plan for what would happen if their local school faced closure.”

As of Saturday morning, there were 88 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Pasadena City College currently has no plans to cancel events, according to Alex Boekelheide, executive director of communications.

“At this time, there are no plans to cancel classes or large events at PCC,” Boeklheide said. “The college is in constant contact with local law enforcement and public health authorities and will adapt its operations as events warrant. Such responses would include alternate delivery of educational material — such as online instruction, where possible — if necessary.”

The ArtCenter College of Design is monitoring the situation.

“We are in regular communication with the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) and will continue to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health agencies,” said a statement released last Wednesday.

The college has not canceled graduation or grad night ceremonies and has created a limited, special emergency fund for international students forced to remain in the U.S. due to travel restrictions.

On Saturday, the state released new guidelines designed to prevent the spread of the virus in schools. The new guidelines consist of four measures. The first measure addresses schools in communities where there have not been any reported outbreaks, like the Pasadena Unified School District.

Under that scenario, the district is required to review and update comprehensive school safety plans, including:

• Continuity plans for teaching and learning if students are absent from school.

•  Exclude students, teachers or staff who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to an area identified by the CDC as Level 3 Travel Health Notice.

• Additionally, exclude those who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 from the school for 14 days from the day of their last exposure.

• Send students, teachers and staff who present fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms home immediately — separate them from others until they go home and when feasible, identify a “sick room” through which others do not regularly pass.

• Coordinate with all partner organizations serving students to ensure consistent practices.

• Encourage flu vaccine for those persons over 6 months of age who have not had it this season.

• Develop a plan to communicate with the school community.

• Contact your county emergency operations center if it has been established, or your local public health department, immediately if you notice any concerning clusters of respiratory disease or spikes in absenteeism.

•  Encourage all students, families and staff to take everyday preventive actions: Stay home when sick, remain at home until fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald has released several statements on the virus. Students would continue learning via virtual education if schools are forced to close. It is not known how many students have tablets or computers at home.

The second measure is to be taken if there are two or more community transmission cases of COVID-19, but no individuals within the school test positive.

Scenario 3 would be implemented if one student, teacher or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 and exposed others at the school. The final scenario is a list of measures to be taken if multiple schools within a school district have a student, teacher or staff member test positive for COVID-19.

“It’s also not lost on anyone that these scenarios would put significant stress on families — especially those with the least financial resources,” Newsom said. “Already, we are seeing how this outbreak is having significant economic impact on families, workers, businesses and communities across California. The state of California is working around the clock to help shoulder the burden that Californians are facing during this crisis. We really are all in this together.”

On Saturday, Pasadena Now reported Caltech officials canceled 10 events scheduled for later this month, including Explore Caltech and all undergrad recruitment events.

“This decision was made out of concern for the health of our community in light of the rapid spread of COVID-19,” the Institute said in an email, and was a decision made “out of an abundance of caution,” a statement said.