NASHVILLE TENN. (WTVF) — Williamson County Schools have announced that the district will close Tuesday and Wednesday after a parent tested positive for COVID-19, also known as the new coronavirus. It's unclear if this is a new case or one of the known cases.
The district said a parent in the Brentwood area notified the district that they had tested positive for COVID-19 and that they had visited a school prior to that diagnosis. Williamson County Schools did not release the name of the school.
They are working with the Tennessee Department of Health, who will begin investigating the report today including investigating any contact with WCS faculty, staff and students, if needed.
JUST IN: Williamson County Schools will remain closed on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The School Aged Child Care program will be open at inclement weather sites following inclement weather hours. Twelve month employees should follow the inclement weather protocol.
— WCS (@WCSedu) March 11, 2020
The school district closed Friday and Monday for a deep cleaning after Governor Bill Lee confirmed the state's first case in Williamson County last week. The patient, described as a 44-year-old man, was quarantined at home.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
