The [US] Virgin Islands Department of Education announced Wednesday, March 11, 2020, proactive measures it said are being implemented to ensure the safety of students and employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: VIC

Preventative measures announced by the Department include:

• School nurses are tracking all students that exhibit cold or flu symptoms and fevers. Nurses have been instructed to fill out a Notification of Infectious Disease form for students exhibiting symptoms and submit the form to the V.I. Department of Health (DOH).
• School principals have been instructed to report the number of sick students to the District Superintendent at the end of each school day
• Schools have been instructed to immediately inform parents of child’s symptoms and advise that child be picked up from school, be seen by a pediatrician, and remain at home until medically cleared to return to school
• The VIDE is in communication with its online educational partners to find ways to increase existing online learning options for students in the event schools may have to close
• The department of education said it will continue to issue regular updates and tips for students, parents and employees, with guidance from DOH, through mass email, all of the Department’s social media platforms and its online e-newsletter
• The VIDE has delivered pallets of hand sanitizers to both districts and is currently in the process of distributing them to schools                                                                                                                                           

The department of education said it will continue to issue regular updates and tips for students, parents and employees, with guidance from DOH, through mass email, all of the department’s social media platforms and its online e-newsletter.