Salado ISD Superintendent Michael Novotny announced this evening SISD classes for next week have been canceled.
“Due to the latest announcements regarding the spread of COVID-19 in our county, Salado ISD will be extending spring break by one week. Schools will remain closed Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20, as we continue to assess the situation,” Novotny stated in a district-wide email.
This closure also applies to all after-school care, extended day programs, field trips, extra-curricular and district-sponsored events, including our high school prom.
“ This was not an easy decision to make due to the potential impact it will have on our families, but the safety of our students and our staff is our highest priority. Further, this helps protect our greater community, which includes those that are most vulnerable to the virus,” he added.
Salado ISD has made this decision in conjunction with other local entities and with direction from the Bell County and State Health Departments. Salado ISD will continue to consult with local public health officials, monitor the situation daily and will provide timely updates to our families and staff.
“At this time, we intend on returning to our regular schedules starting Monday, March 23. This is a fluid situation, so any changes to the regular schedule will be communicated in a timely and appropriate manner. In the meantime, we encourage you and your family to take precautions such as frequent hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding touching your face, eyes, and mouth,” he stated.
If you have concerns that you have been exposed to the virus, or if you have any symptoms, you should contact your personal health care provider. Further, if your student or a family member tests positive for the virus, please contact me immediately at michael.novotny@saladoisd.org or 254-947-6905.
If you are a Salado ISD employee and you test positive for the virus, please contact me immediately at michael.novotny@saladoisd.org or 254-947-6905.
“The safety and well-being of our district community is our utmost concern,” he said.
Earlier today, local news stations announced that a 29-year-old Bell County man who had traveled to Europe was positively diagnosed with COVID-19. According to our sources, the man works for Laerdel Medical, which has a manufacturing location in Gatesville.
Salado Village Voice also received reports that masks and gloves have been stolen from at least one local hospital.
Evidently, Brookshire Brothers was out o f toilet paper yesterday while HEB limited the amount of water that could be purchased.
Salado Public Library canceled all events for the remainder of March.
Barrow Brewing Co. canceled North by Northwest.
Salado Chamber of Commerce canceled the Wildflower Art Show slated at the end of the month. Earlier Salado Winery Co. canceled the Texas Wine and Rogue Art Show.
Central Texas VA Announces Additional Safeguards to Protect Veterans, Visitors and Employees
While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still considers COVID-19 to be a low threat to the general American public, the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) is taking extra precautions aimed at limiting COVID-19 exposure risk to Veterans, employees, volunteers, and contractors.
Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), flu or cold should call 1-800-423-2111 before coming to CTVHCS facilties. Clinical staff are available to provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage. This service is available at no cost to Veterans enrolled for VA health care.
CTVHCS also includes the following medical centers and outpatient clinics:
· Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center in Temple, Texas
· Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Waco, Texas
· Austin Outpatient Clinic
· Brownwood Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)
· Cedar Park CBOC
· Collegel Station CBOC
· LaGrange CBOC
· Palestine CBOC
· Temple Clinic Annex
· Joint VA/DoD Sleep Center in Killeen, Texas
Starting Monday, March 16, 2020, CTVHCS clinics are also conducting mandatory screening to rapidly identify individuals who may have symptoms of respiratory illness and direct them for further triage and treatment. Patients should plan to arrive well in advance of appointments time to comply with the screening process.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Temple and Waco Medical Centers will start conducting the mandatory screening. Entrances to the campuses will be limited, maps detailing the entrances are available at: https://www.centraltexas.va.gov/visitors/campus_Screening.asp
Additionally, access to Community Living Centers, Blind Rehabilitation and all residential facilities are now strictly monitored to protect patients deemed more vulnerable and at higher risk, and a temporary “no visitor” policy has been adopted for these units at the Temple and Waco campuses. This means no outside visitors will be permitted to see residents in these units. The only exceptions will be in compassionate cases, when Veterans are in their last stages of life on hospice units.
Aside from the operational changes noted, CTVHCS remains fully operational. Veterans with scheduled appointments should plan to attend and complete appointments as they normally would while considering extra time needed for screening.
CTVHCS understands these actions may be inconvenient to some; however, these commonsense measures will help protect those who trust VA for their care and the employees who provide that care.
For more information about COVID-19 visit the CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 website.
For more about CTVHCS facilities and to keep informed, visit the website at: http://www.centraltexas.va.gov/ or our facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/CentralTexasVA