LTUSD asks students and staff to self-quarantine if returning from any COVID-19 infected area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) sent out a letter to all students and staff concerning the district's Pandemic Preparedness Plan in regards to travel and self-quarantine.

Effective Monday, March 9, 2020, all students and staff returning from travel out-of-the-country or from COVID-19 infected areas in California or other areas of the United States are strongly recommended to self-quarantine in their home for 14 consecutive days beginning the date of their return to South Lake Tahoe.

During their self-quarantine time, students will be offered independent study, but it is not mandatory though LTUSD will endeavor to keep students up with their studies. Students and staff who are showing signs of illness should not return until their symptoms subside or they have been cleared by a medical professional.

Sick Persons

Everyone should stay home if they are sick until they have had no fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms for at least 72 hours after symptoms resolve or 7 days after symptoms began, whichever is longer.

Individuals with cold-like symptoms should manage their symptoms at home with over-the-counter drugs whenever possible, regardless of whether they have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19, according to LTUSD's plan.

Individuals who develop difficulty breathing, feel extremely tired, or were feeling better but then feel a lot worse should call their health care provider. If they will be going to the provider’s office or urgent care center, they should call ahead so that the health care provider can be prepared to take care of them.

People should only call 911 or go to an emergency department if they believe that their life is in imminent danger. Other emergencies are still occurring, and emergency resources must be available to address all of them, not just COVID-19.

LTUSD stated they continue to recommend incorporating these steps into daily routines:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
Stay home from work and school if you're sick
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes
If you're sick enough to seek medical care and think you have any respiratory illness, including COVID-19, it's important to call the medical facility before arriving and follow directives to avoid exposing others.