Due to the continued spread of a stomach bug at Estes Park Elementary School (EPES), in collaboration with the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) and Environment, school officials have been advised to close down EPES this coming Monday (April 25) and Tuesday.
- April 25th and 26th EPES will not have school
- April 25th and 26th EPMS and EPHS WILL be in session
- Any event at the EPES, including the Bee Hive Party is cancelled.
Several student are confirmed cases of Norovirus, a highly contagious virus, according to a release from the school. Symptoms include: Diarrhea, vomiting, low-grade fever, body aches, headache, and abdominal cramping.
The custodial staff will be focusing on deep cleaning in Estes Park Middle and High Schools this weekend and will focus on deep cleaning EPES on Monday and Tuesday.
The decision was made due to the fact that the incubation period of the Norovirus is 24-48 hours, therefore the recommendation from the LCDHE is given in order to break this spread to maintain that 48 hours.
“As a reminder, your child must be symptom free for 48 hours prior to return to school,” school officials said. “If you have a sibling in the Middle or High School and your Elementary student is ill, please keep ALL of your children home.”
Staff and teachers are also asked to not enter the EPES building on Monday or Tuesday unless they have been cleared to do so or are part of the custodial team.
District Response
The superintendent, district nurse, and principals are working together in cooperation with the communicable disease team at LCDHE. The district is following the guidance provided by LCDHE including,
- Any sick student is being isolated and then sent home.
- High-touch surfaces will receive extra disinfecting over the weekend in addition to routine cleaning measures.
- Superintendent and the Board of Education are in consult.
- Buses have been disinfected in advance of evening routes.
How families can help
If your student experiences any of these symptoms, please keep them home. Due to the high rate of transmission with this virus, students need to be symptom-free for 48 hours before they may return to school.
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Originally Appeared Here