Statement from Harrison County Schools on Coronavirus 2019 precautions

For Immediate Release

March 7, 2020
For more information, contact: Donald Richie (859) 588-4705 or
donald.richie@harrison.kyschools.us

CYNTHIANA, Ky. —We are aware of the concern among our families and the
community regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Harrison
County is ground zero for the first confirmed COVID-19 patient in Kentucky. We
will likely not be the last. Our first and foremost goal is the safety of our students
and staff. With that in mind, we will be instituting an alternative instructional plan.
This message is to keep parents and families informed and up-to-date with
information regarding that plan and our processes.
Harrison County Schools is prepared to deal with outbreaks of illness,
such as the flu, and have done so for many years. The coronavirus is new, but
the same responses and procedures used during outbreaks of flu are the same
responses and procedures outlined by health officials as the best way to prevent
the spread of this new illness.
After meeting with local officials this morning regarding the confirmed case
of Coronavirus (COVID-19), I have made the decision to close the schools for
next week and utilize our alternative learning model otherwise known as NTI
(Nontraditional Instruction). This closure is not a result of any known exposure,
rather a proactive approach to limit further exposure within our community.
There will be further, direct messaging regarding the NTI process as well
as services provided by the district during this time away from school. As a
school district, we are prepared to provide continuity of services for both learning
and nutrition. Teachers will be providing instructional services using
Nontraditional Instruction (NTI), while other staff members will be assisting in the
cleaning and disinfecting of buses, classrooms and other public spaces.
Harrison County Schools has cancelled all school-related activities to
include sports and all extracurricular events until further notice. Information
regarding NTI will be provided on the district website,
https://www.harrison.k12.ky.us/. We will also update the website as additional
information becomes available regarding school activities and other relevant
news.
We have been meeting with Dr. Crystal Miller from WEDCO, County
Judge Executive Alex Barnett, Cynthiana Mayor James Smith, and Sheila
Currans, CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital as well as many other first
responders and community officials. In consultation with Governor Andy
Beshear, the Kentucky Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease
Control, the community of Cynthiana and Harrison County will deal with this
public health situation in a safe, efficient and effective manner. I have the utmost
faith in this community and these partners!
 Further information regarding COVID-19 can be found on WEDCO’s
website as well as Kentucky’s site dedicated to the COVID-19 virus.
https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/Pages/covid19ky.aspx

https://www.wedcohealth.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Dr. Harry Burchett, Superintendent

Harrison County Public Schools