Cordova School District has suspended district-sponsored travel for both students and staff, according to a Friday, March 13 release by Superintendent Alex Russin. This excludes travel already underway, though this may also be curtailed as new information emerges.
The decision was part of an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Thursday, March 12, officials reported the first known case of the virus in Alaska. However, evidence suggests that the infected individual did not have extensive contact with other people in the community before being diagnosed, according to Associated Press reports. Officials believe that this case can be contained, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, told the Associated Press.
Although no decision has been made to close Cordova schools, Russin also did not rule out such a decision.
“Because the status of the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and new information comes in daily, the District continues to monitor whether district-wide measures may require more assertive action, such as the extension of Spring Break and/or school closures for a period of time,” Russin wrote.
All sporting events, co-curricular events and after-school activities will be reviewed, according to the release.
Parents and guardians of students exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be contacted and asked to take their student home, according to the release. If a sick student cannot be picked up immediately, the student will be accommodated in a room away from other students.
