Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Flu Precautions

Along with all schools in the state of Texas, Catholic schools will remain closed until April 3, 2020. The continuity of students’ education and formation during this time of not being physically present in classrooms is our primary focus, and we’re working with every individual school to ensure that a robust system of remote learning is in place so that students will not only continue to grow as scholars, but also as saints. We encourage all families to contact their local school in regards to the protocol for e-learning or remote learning.

Letter to Parents: March 20, 2020

And of course, to continue to take necessary steps to keep your family free from infection following local and national ordinances as well as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Dallas County Health and Human Services.

Our prayers are with all in our community, especially those who are ill and their families, and healthcare and public health workers. May the peace of Christ control our hearts and permeate our lives.

Staying Healthy

Members of our communities can practice and reinforce the following precautionary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Stay home if sick with any illness
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be notified if there is a case of COVID-19 in my child’s school?
Your child’s school will notify families and take necessary action if any case of COVID-19 is confirmed within the school community. We will make every effort to protect the dignity of all within our community, and identifying information about any who contract the illness will only be shared if specifically recommended by Dallas County Health Department.

Do I need to notify my school if I travel?
The decision to ask families about their travel plans is up to the discretion of each individual school, but we encourage you to notify your school if anyone in your family has traveled or plans to travel to areas where the infection rate is a 2 or above, and to stay up to date on the CDC travel advisories.

How should I talk to my children about COVID-19?
Children experience stress differently than adults. Click here for a helpful resource on speaking with children about Coronavirus.

Recommendations from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

International Travel Recommendations

CDC is recommending that all travelers avoid any nonessential travel to any country with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, indicating widespread community transmission of COVID-19.

CDC is asking individuals returning to the U.S. from these countries to stay home, monitor their health, and practice social distancing, for a period of 14 days after leaving the country. Staff or students with travel to these countries would therefore not return to work or school for a 14-day period after departing these countries.

{Please note that these precautions apply to persons departing an affected country after the date that a Level 3 travel warning is issued for the country, and are not retroactively applied.}

CDC also advises older adults and those with chronic medical conditions to consider postponing non-essential travel to any countries with a Level 2 Travel Health Notice, indicating sustained community transmission of COVID-19.

CDC recommends that travelers returning to the U.S. from these countries to “limit contact with others” and monitor their health for a period of 14 days after leaving the country.

Domestic Travel Recommendations

CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of COVID-19 have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19, if there are other travelers with COVID-19. Find the CDC’s recommendations for domestic travel here.

Cruise Ship Travel Recommendations

As of March 8, all travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, are being recommended by CDC to defer all cruise ship travel worldwide.

Persons returning from a cruise are recommended to “limit interactions with others” and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the U.S. If a case of COVID-19 was reported on the ship during the cruise, the traveler is advised to stay home and practice social distancing during those 14 days.

Air Travel Recommendations

Precautions for Persons at High Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19

Some individuals have higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including: older adults or persons with serious chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, lung disease, or heart disease). For high-risk persons, it is especially important for them to take actions to reduce risk of getting sick, including avoiding crowds.

Individuals travelling to domestic locales with COVID-10 outbreaks should be aware that high-risk residents in these communities are being advised to “stay home as much as possible.”