WATERTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — Watertown’s Superintendent of Schools tells News 8 that all buildings in the Watertown school district will be disinfected after students at four out of five schools have been infected with Coxsackie virus.
B. Heston Carnemolla, Superintendent of Watertown Schools, spoke with News 8 Friday morning to confirm the cases of the virus, also known as Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, had been found in the schools. Carnemolla issued the following statement Friday morning.
The district is taking a number of preventative measures to ensure the safety of student body and staff, including: disinfecting all surfaces in every school daily. Faculty will be speaking with students with a consistent message about the importance of good hygeine: wash hands and don’t share personal items. District staff are aware and taking appropriate precautions.”
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According to Carnemolla, school staff will thoroughly disinfect all surfaces daily to ensure the well-being of students and staff until the number of virus cases diminishes. Surfaces such as desktops, chairs, door handles, hand railings, and health office beds will be disinfected each school day.
In addition, administrators, teachers, nurses, athletic directors, and coaches will be speaking to students with a consistent message about the importance of maintaining good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and not sharing personal items, such as water bottles and utensils, Carnemolla said.Related Content: Derby High School disinfected after outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
An email was sent out to families in the district asking parents to remind their children about the importance of good hygiene when they’re at home as well.
All Watertown schools will remain open as usual.