In a letter to parents, Borgen said "The Public Health Department will be coming to our District to provide swine flu shots as soon as they have the vaccine available."
Borgen's letter, which is posted on the school district's Web site, says the school district will work closely with Island Hospital and the Skagit County Health Department to address any health risk to school children. "Please be assured that all three of our organizations have the safety of your children first and foremost in our thoughts," he says.
He adds "In the event of an outbreak, the Public Health Department will advise us as to whom should stay home; especially those who have refused the vaccine and then have become ill."
The letter suggests that parents keep children at home if they show any flu-like symptoms. In addition, the letter outlines what the school district will do to handle potential swine flu cases:
- All staff have been directed to please stay home if they demonstrate any flu-like symptoms.
- Teachers will look for students exhibiting any flu-like symptoms and will send any students to the health room immediately if they have concerns.
- These students will be isolated in the health room and wear provided masks.
- Staff, nurses and secretaries working in the health room will wear masks and gloves and follow sanitation protocols.
- School nursing staff will determine if a student or staff member has influenza symptoms.
- Our District Nurse; Rosie Noble, RN will then be called in to examine the child or staff member.
- If the District Nurse deems the child or staff member meets the case definition for Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) then she will give a swab test and the child will be excluded from school;
- The swab sample will then be sent to the child’s doctor and/or Island Hospital.
- Island Hospital is asking the parents to then notify their doctor and inform them of their child’s symptoms.
- Parents will be instructed to maintain contact with their doctor, but to take their child to the doctor only if symptoms worsen
- The child will be excluded from school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
- Siblings not demonstrating symptoms will not be excluded but should be checked daily for symptoms.