Local school districts and national organizations have begun enacting response plans and altering schedules as the Coronavirus has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization.
USD 253 Emporia Public Schools has activated its Emergency Operations Plan which was presented to school board members Wednesday evening. USD 253 Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Kelly Bolin says the plan is a way to help balance safety and learning for their students in the event a local outbreak were to occur.
According to district Director of Community Relations Lyndel Landgren the major focus for the district at this time is on planning and coordination.
Adjustments have been occurring at a rapid pace both in Kansas and across the nation. Locally, USD 252 Southern Lyon County has announced they will be postponing the district’s spring Honor Flight to Washington DC. Fundraising will continue and the district will announce a new set of travel dates once those have been set.
At the national level, several major adjustments are being made at multiple levels including in the realm of collegiate and professional sports. The NCAA announced Wednesday they would be moving forward with their annual men’s and women’s national championship basketball tournaments, however, fans will be barred from attending.
Attendance will only be allowed for essential staff and limited family according to the NCAA’s website. The National Basketball Association’s response went a step further as the league decided to suspend the remainder of the 2019-2020 season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Wednesday evening.
While cases of COVID-19 continue to develop across the nation, Stormont Vail Hospital did clear three individuals of the disease Wednesday afternoon. Stormont Public Relations Specialist Matt Lara tells KVOE News testing conducted on all three individuals came back negative for any signs of COVID-19.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media. More information about coronavirus is coming from experts at Newman Regional Health and Flint Hills Community Health Center on Friday’s Talk of Emporia.
