School in Monrovia 'deep cleaned' after student's parent has contact with coronavirus patient
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses, including the novel coronavirus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first det (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
MONROVIA, Calif. - A middle school in Monrovia underwent a "deep cleaning' after the parent of a student who attends the school made contact with a coronavirus patient.
Authorities say the parent works in the health industry and was recently exposed to a patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The Monrovia Unified School District confirmed the news Wednesday in a statement and said the parent and their children are under self-quarantine.
The statement reads:
"The Monrovia Unified School District confirmed Wednesday that a parent who works in the health industry and had been in contact with a coronavirus patient has self-isolated
Monrovia Unified School District is committed to providing a safe, secure learning environment to all of our students and staff. Administrators at the District learned Wednesday, March 4 that a Clifton Middle School parent who works in the health industry had been in contact with an individual who has been exposed to COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
In speaking directly with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, no risk is posed when no symptoms are present. Neither the parent nor their children have shown any of the associated symptoms.
Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, the parent and their children are self-isolating through the end of the illness' 14-day incubation period. The District will provide educational resources to the students during their isolation.
Monrovia Unified conducted a deep cleaning of Clifton Middle School, which opened to serve our community on Thursday, March 5. The District is working directly with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and following their guidance. We will provide updates as new information becomes available."
The thorough cleaning comes after Los Angeles County officials declared a public health emergency.
"We'll be working closely with schools, public events venues and businesses before decisions are made to close. This is the time for people to have a plan of what they would do should their child's school need to close," Dr. Barbara Ferrer, head of county health said.
Classes at Clifton Middle School were to resume as scheduled.
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For more information on the coronavirus visit, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
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