Possible Coronavirus Exposure Prompts Statement from North Penn School District Officials

North Penn Now Staff•

North Penn School District Superintendent Curt Dietrich has issued a statement following two possible exposures to the coronavirus within the district.

Dietrich said that the district received notification today that a staff member at Kulp Elementary School was exposed to an individual who tested positive for the coronavirus on March 5 while at a local health provider. The staff member is not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, but is currently under quarantine as a precaution and no longer at the school.

The district also said that a parent of a Bridle Path student has allegedly tested positive for the coronavirus, and the parent had visited the school office for a short time on Friday. The release states that the parent was tested upon returning home from another country, and is currently under medical care.

The student of the parent currently has no symptoms, but has also self-quarantined as a precaution.

Upon consultation with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, the district has decided that all schools will remain open at this time.

“NPSD has been diligently cleaning its schools and offices, including classrooms and high-touch areas such as desks, surfaces and door knobs,” said Dietrich. “Extra cleaning staff will be temporarily assigned to Kulp and Bridle Path for even more intensive cleaning. As always, we are promoting frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer.”

Officials ask that anyone with questions about the virus contact their healthcare provider or the Montgomery County Office of Public Health. In an earlier release, the district recommended the following preventative measures:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

In that release, the district also said that they are asking individuals to refrain from handshakes and high-fives.

Last week, Central Bucks School District closed five of its schools, after learning that an out-of-state person who has a confirmed case of the coronavirus had attended a private gathering in central Bucks County. The schools have since reopened.

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