UNITY — The Regional School Unit 3 Superintendent of Schools, Charles Brown, distributed the following letter to members of the RSU 3 community Tuesday, March 3. 

RSU 3 includes Monroe Elementary School, Morse Memorial Elementary School, Mount View Elementary School, Mount View High School, Mount View Middle School, Troy Elementary School, Unity School and Walker Elementary School. 

Dear RSU #3 Parents and Guardians,

I am writing this letter to inform you of the steps RSU #3 is taking in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in our community. While the likelihood of such an event is quite low, we have been advised by the Maine Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to have plans in place and to communicate with staff, students, and parents steps they should take to prevent the spread of this and other illnesses.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which has now been detected in 37 locations internationally, including the United States. The virus is named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes is named "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19"). The United States reported the first confirmed instance of person-to- person spread with this virus on January 30, 2020. (maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml)

What does the disease look like in humans?

The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and/or cough and difficulty breathing. Sore throat is also reported in some patients. If you have these symptoms and did not recently travel to China or did not have contact with someone with 2019 Novel Coronavirus, it is likely to be a cold or the flu. If you have these symptoms you should contact your healthcare provider.

What is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease?

If you are sick you should stay home, cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands regularly. If your child has a fever, please keep them home until at least 24-hours after the fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicines, such as acetaminophen. This standard is expected of staff as well. Please report symptoms when you call the school to report your child is ill.

What can the schools do to help prevent the spread of this and other diseases?

Through community letters such as this, and our work each day reminding students and staff of precautionary measures mentioned above, we are also determined to ensure that commonly touched surfaces throughout the schools (desktops, doorknobs, drinking fountains, etc.) are disinfected each day. We are also conferring with medical professionals in the area and the Maine Centers for Disease Control (MCDC) to determine other steps we may take to assist in stopping this disease before an outbreak occurs.

What if there is an outbreak in our community?

If there is a local outbreak, we must be prepared to close schools for an undetermined period of time. The decision to close school will likely be made for us by the Maine CDC and will be based upon the percentage of students and staff who are sick, and the likelihood of the disease to spread. If schools are closed, and in order to allow for continued learning and completion of the school year in a reasonable timeframe, we will consider options made available to us by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE). This may include distance learning opportunities, extended-day make-up time, and other options approved by MDOE.

The best thing we can do at this time is remind everyone to stay home if sick, cover up any coughs or sneezes, wash hands regularly, and contact their doctor with any concerns or questions.

For additional information and resources, please visit the School Nurse page of the RSU #3 website (rsu3.org/departments/nurses-office). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at 207-948-6136.