A Long Beach elementary school has been ordered to close by the health department due to a nearly month-long outbreak of norovirus.
Health officials say 126 students and 10 staff at
George Washington Carver Elementary
have reported gastrointestinal symptoms since February 22.
Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It spreads through contact with contaminated food or water, sick people and surfaces. It is very common and not usually dangerous, though it can cause dehydration.
School officials at George Washington Carver Elementary first reported the situation to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services on February 22.
Since then, the Health Department has made a number of recommendations, including keeping children in groups for recess and lunch, postponing communal and extracurricular activities, screening for symptoms and deep cleaning.
“We also provided information to the school on norovirus that includes information lowering the risk of getting sick. However, there’s evidence of ongoing transmission despite stringent control measures, which is why the school is closing temporarily,” said Long Beach health department spokesperson Jennifer Rice Epstein.
The temporary closure began March 17 and will allow for a deep cleaning of the school. Norovirus can survive for weeks on surfaces, such as desks, doorknobs, and toys, if not properly cleaned and disinfected. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus. Instead, a bleach and water solution must be used.
“Closing the school to conduct a deep cleaning is an outbreak management strategy. Each communicable disease outbreak is unique, so what action to take is decided by the City Health Officer on a case-by-case basis….
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