Local schools taking preventative measures amid Coronavirus fears

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus has prompted a great deal of questions and concerns on the impact it will have on our schools.

Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person and while no cases have been reported in the state of Mississippi, local schools are still taking preventative measures.

The CDC recommends following simple everyday preventative actions like avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing your hands frequently, and staying home if you feel ill.

Popp’s Ferry Elementary School Nurse Ginger Smith is following suit and advising her students to do much of the same. “We are training the staff to train the children to be aware of what is going on and the signs and symptoms and what to do to prevent this.”

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Severe complications have included pneumonia in both lungs.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19 nor is there a vaccine to prevent it.