The Catasauqua Area School District is closely monitoring information being released on COVID-19, the new strain of the coronavirus, according to a letter sent to parents and guardians of students and posted on the district’s website Feb. 27.

There are no reports of the virus in Lehigh or Northampton counties, as of press time March 11. Fourteen cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania - one in Delaware County, one in Wayne County, eight in Montgomery County, one in Monroe County, one in Philadelphia County and two presumptive cases in Bucks County.

According to CASD Superintendent Robert J. Spengler, the district will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health updates and recommendations regarding COVID-19.

“The health, safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff are of upmost importance to us,” Spengler said. “We will continue to follow district procedures by maintaining our facilities using EPA-registered institutional disinfecting materials. We will follow all virus updates and comply with any additional recommendations provided to the district from local, state or federal officials.”

Spengler urged the school community to adhere to the following Department of Health preventive measures:

• Cover coughs or sneezes with elbow, not hands.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Clean surfaces, including countertops, light switches, cellphones, remotes and other often-touched items, frequently.

Spengler asked parents to keep their children home from school if the students are sick and have a fever - defined as a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher - until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

District nurses are also carefully monitoring students for symptoms.

CASD has implemented these additional safety measures:

• Regular disinfection of high-volume contact and public areas

• Increased availability of hand sanitizer

• Installation of new antibacterial soap dispensers throughout the district

• Fliers posted in public areas and restrooms with tips on how to stop the spread of germs