As the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise in the U.S., the city of McKinney and McKinney ISD are making efforts to prepare.
City staff is taking part in daily conference calls with the Texas Department of State Health Services, according to the city’s website, and city departments are reviewing protocols. Personnel are also receiving training from health experts, and McKinney Fire and Emergency Services are coordinating EMS efforts with Medical Control and local healthcare facilities.
"The city is analyzing and modeling various scenarios with internal departments and partner agencies fostering proactive discussions and strengthening response plans," the city's website stated.
The McKinney Chamber of Commerce has also started reaching out to local businesses to share the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advice, which encourages business owners to have plans in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
At this time, no local events have been canceled due to coronavirus, but the situation will continue to be monitored, said Denise Lessard, the city's communications and media manager.
In addition, the city will be communicating with Collin County Health Care Services and McKinney ISD as the situation progresses.
According to MISD’s website, the district’s staff is trained for responding to a transmittable disease outbreak.
“McKinney ISD Health Services and campus nurses are well prepared,” the website states. “We have protocols and policies in place to ensure students are sent home with fever or when ill, and we have protocols for ensuring they are fever-free before they return to school.”
In addition, MISD is also disinfecting “high-touch” surfaces.
The district is currently out for spring break through March 16 and has not announced any plans to further close schools at this time.
“The decision to close schools is not taken lightly, as it does cause a major disruption to daily life,” the website stated.
The district will continue to provide updates when there are changes, according to its website.
The immediate risk of coronavirus transmission remains low in Collin County, according to a March 9 county news release, but the county is encouraging residents to practice everyday preventative measures to help reduce the possibility of spreading the virus.
