February 4, 2010 by Carol Britton Meyer
The Hingham Health Department is working with the Hingham Public Schools to address concerns regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus that has been in the news lately. "As always, we encourage residents to call with any questions they may have. We will continue to monitor this evolving virus daily," Hingham Executive Health Officer Susan Sarni told the Hingham Anchor.
"The risk to Massachusetts residents from 2019 Novel Coronavirus is low at this time," she said. "As with all communicable diseases, we will follow the guidance of the Department of Public Health and Center for Disease Control."
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to call the Health Department at (781) 741-1466 or visit https://www.hingham-ma.gov/186/Board-of-Health for the most up-to-date information.
In response to concerns expressed recently by parents to Supt. of Schools Paul Austin regarding district health policy and procedures stemming from global concerns surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Austin sent a letter to the Hingham Public Schools community yesterday, Feb. 3.
"I have taken your concerns seriously, and I contacted the Hingham Health Department for updated guidance," the letter states.
Following that conversation, Austin received a message from Hingham Public Health Nurse Kathy Crowley stating that the Hingham Health Department "has been in daily contact with the Massachusetts Department of Health in monitoring the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. To date, the evaluation of people who may be ill or who may have been exposed is identified in the attached flow chart from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control)." See chart below.
Crowley went on to say that the screenings "will be conducted in designated airports by trained staff" and that the Hingham Health Department "will continue to follow the Hingham Public Schools health policy," which is posted on the School Department website.
Crowley further noted, "As we are all aware, we are in the middle of the seasonal flu season, and we would like to encourage careful handwashing."
In his letter Austin outlined HPS police 6.10 related to contagious diseases, which states that "a child infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, as defined by statute, shall not attend classes while the student is so infected. If in school, the student shall be sent home as soon as proper arrangements can be made. No student who has been absent due to a communicable disease may return to school without a certificate from the Board of Health or the attending physicians" as required under Massachusetts General Laws.
Austin also said in the letter that HPS will continue to monitor the situation "very closely" as well as to follow Department of Health and CDC guidelines. "If new guidance is provided by the CDC or the Department of Health, I will pass those on to you." He encouraged anyone with concerns or questions to contact the Hingham Health Department. (See phone number listed above.)
Austin also included guidance offered to parents and caregivers by the HPS related to the flu season:
Illness and Communicable Diseases
If your child has a communicable disease, please notify the school nurse.
School health policy, regarding school attendance, requires that you keep your child home if
he/she:
* has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea within the past 24 hours;
* is being treated for a contagious illness;
* if placed on antibiotics, must take the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school.
Please inform the school nurse of potential problems or changes in health status such as:
* update of immunizations;
* illness or injury requiring prolonged absence or restrictions at school;
* surgery;
* treatments requested by a physician;
* change in activity status;
* emotional concerns
In ending the letter, Austin stated, "Thank you for helping to keep Hingham Public Schools a safe and healthy place for all to learn and grow."