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'We are taking this situation very seriously': Bibb County School District's response to COVID-19

Bibb County schools says the purpose of the briefing is to provide clarity and transparency regarding the district's response to the virus.

MACON, Ga. — The Bibb County School District held a briefing Tuesday to discuss its response to the new coronavirus. 

Superintendent Curtis Jones is spoke at 4 p.m.

"Our operations team has always had soap, we've always made it available for schools to use," Jones said. "In order to get students into classrooms and get them out, we've also started using hand sanitizers." 

A release from Bibb County schools says the purpose of the briefing is to provide clarity and transparency regarding the district's response to the virus.

"We want to make sure our parents and our school community do understand that we are taking this situation very seriously," Bibb Schools Director of Safety and Security David Gowan said.

There are still no reported cases of COVID-19 in Central Georgia at this time.

"We have an infectious disease response plan that we are working on," Gowan said.

Representatives from the Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency and the North Central Health District spoke at the briefing, too.

"We are preparing for this just like we would whether it was a tornado, hurricane or any other disaster that we may be facing," Macon-Bibb County EMA director Spencer Hawkins said.

Hawkins says they are working with the school district and the health department in order to prepare to respond to, and recover from, anything that may happen.

"Whether it's COVID-19, the next flood, or the next storm," he said.

Gowan says they are also working together to reduce the chances of the spread of the virus. 

In Georgia, there are six confirmed cases of the virus at this time. None of those reported cases are in the Central Georgia area, according to Michael Hokanson with the Department of Public Health.

"We are aware that there are rumors flooding our community. We are doing what we can to combat those rumors, and we ask that you do the same," Hokanson said.

The Department of Public Health's North Central Health District says people should follow these basic prevention measures:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm 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 cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Jones says that if a student is absent, the school district will follow it's regular protocol. 

"I would ask people to look at what we've done in the past and what other people tell you when your children are absent," he said. "We're going to work with you it doesn't do us any good not to provide make-up work or to help in that regard."

Jones says if a child is sick, parents and guardians should keep them at home until they are well enough to come back to school.

"If something falls into our area, Mr. Gowan, Spencer Hawkins, they're going to have the team that's going to be operating and that group will help us decide what's best," Jones said.

Click here for more information about the district's response to the new coronavirus. 

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