Billings School District 2 Superintendent Greg Upham has authorized a major scrubdown for all school in response to the spread of coronavirus.
In a letter to parents, Upham wrote that he has authorized the purchase of ionized mist cleaners from a company called Evaclean. These cleaners will be sprayed on all high frequented areas and surfaces, including bathrooms, door handles, desk and other spots in school, Upham wrote.
The device has been used previously by the district for smaller scale outbreaks of other contaminants, Upham added, and the district has other spray cleaner used to mitigate all virus contamination, including coronavirus.
Eleven deaths in the United State have been reported so far- 10 related to an outbreak at a nursing home in Washington state, and one more in California. Cases of the virus have also been reported in Texas, New York, New Jersey and Tennessee.
Worldwide, more than 90,000 cases and 3,000 deaths have been reported, according to The New York Times.
In Montana, no positive cases of the virus have been reported, but schools, businesses and other groups have felt the impact. Upham said the Billings school district is working with RiverStone Health officials to deal with all aspects associated with the coronavirus.
Read Upham's full letter here, which includes links to resources for students and parents. The Centers for Disease Control has an updated fact sheet on coronavirus on its website.
