The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan City, China. It has since spread to other countries, including the United States. Cases have ranged from mild to severe, including illnesses that have resulted in death.
While this situation is rapidly evolving, local health officials say the risk to the general public is low, and there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission in Orange County.
OUSD staff will continue to closely monitor this situation, which is evolving as countries and expert health agencies learn more about the Coronavirus. As we have updates, information and resources from OCHCA or other agencies, the District will provide them to our community.
Thank you in advance for your partnership. Together, we can keep our community healthy and safe.
Below is a running digest, with newer developments posted at the top.
COVID-19 Updates & Messages from the Superintendent
- 6/25/20 OUSD Return-To-Play Guidelines
- 6/5/20 Reimagining Schools Task Force Update
- 4/29/20 Message from the Superintendent
- 4/16/20 (Video) Orange Unified's COVID-19 Response Efforts | Esfuerzos de Respuesta COVID-19 de Orange Unified
- 4/15/20 Orange County Department of Education COVID-19 Update
- 4/14/20 Updated Grading Policy & Class of 2020 Information | Política actualizada de calificaciones e información de la Clase de 2020
- 4/14/20 Governor Newsom Outlines Six Critical Indicators the State will Consider Before Modifying the Stay-at-Home Order and Other COVID-19 Interventions
- 4/10/20 Video Message from the Superintendent
- 4/6/20 Families are Encouraged to Create Family Pandemic Plans | Se Alienta a las Familias a Hacer Planes de Pandemia Familiares
- 4/2/20 Message from the Superintendent
- 3/20/20 Message from the Superintendent
- 3/19/20 Updated Message from the Superintendent
- 3/18/20 School Closure Update
- 3/17/20 School Closure Update
- 3/17/20 CDE & CHHSA Letter COVID-19 Update
- 3/13/20 @ 2:00 p.m. Message from the Superintendent
- 3/13/20 @ 12:15 pm Message from OCDE Superintendent
- 3/12/20 @12:40 p.m. Update from the Superintendent
- 3/11/20 CDPH Guidance for Public Gatherings
- 3/10/20 Message from the Superintendent
- 3/6/20 COVID-19 Update from OCDE
- 3/5/2020 Message from the Superintendent
- 1/28/2020 Message from the Superintendent
6/25/20 OUSD Return-To-Play Guidelines
6/5/20 Reimagining Schools Task Force Update
4/29/20 Message from the Superintendent
4/16/20 (Video) Orange Unified's COVID-19 Response Efforts | Esfuerzos de Respuesta COVID-19 de Orange Unified
4/15/20 Orange County Department of Education COVID-19 Update
4/14/20 Updated Grading Policy & Class of 2020 Information | Política actualizada de calificaciones e información de la Clase de 2020
4/14/20 Governor Newsom Outlines Six Critical Indicators the State will Consider Before Modifying the Stay-at-Home Order and Other COVID-19 Interventions
4/10/20 Video Message from the Superintendent
4/6/20 Families are Encouraged to Create Family Pandemic Plans | Se Alienta a las Familias a Hacer Planes de Pandemia Familiares
4/2/20 Message from the Superintendent
3/20/20 Message from the Superintendent
3/19/20 Updated Message from the Superintendent
3/18/20 School Closure Update
3/17/20 School Closure Update
3/17/20 CDE & CHHSA Letter COVID-19 Update
3/13/20 @ 2:00 p.m. Message from the Superintendent
3/13/20 @ 12:15 pm Message from OCDE Superintendent
3/12/20 @12:40 p.m. Update from the Superintendent
3/11/20 CDPH Guidance for Public Gatherings
3/10/20 Message from the Superintendent
3/6/20 COVID-19 Update from OCDE
3/5/2020 Message from the Superintendent
1/28/2020 Message from the Superintendent
Trusted Websites for COVID-19 Information
Childcare for Essential Workers
The providers on this list are not endorsed by Early Childhood OC or any other agency.
Early Care and Education Centers and Family Childcare Providers
self-reported and gave permission for their information to be published.
The list will be updated each Friday.
Childcare Link For Essential Workers
from Early Childhood OC:
PLEASE NOTE: All questions and inquiries about services, times, availability, etc. should go directly to the childcare provider.
COVID-19 Guidelines and Resource Information
As we continue to monitor the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation, we are working closely with expert agencies such as the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). Below are revised health guidelines for schools from OCHCA in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ national public health emergency declaration issued Friday, January 31, 2020.
- OUSD Preparedness
- Masks
- CDC Self-Quarantine Advisory
- Guidelines for Students Under Mandatory & Self-Quarantine
- Federal Travel Guidelines
- OCHCA Student Guidelines for Orange County Schools
- Staff Resources
- Resources For Supporting Student's Health & Well-Being
OUSD Preparedness
Masks
CDC Self-Quarantine Advisory
Guidelines for Students Under Mandatory & Self-Quarantine
Federal Travel Guidelines
OCHCA Student Guidelines for Orange County Schools
Staff Resources
Resources For Supporting Student's Health & Well-Being
OC Dept. of Education "How To Flatten the Curve - COVID-19"
CDC - Washing Your Hands (English)
CDC - Washing Your Hands (Spanish)
Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19
- What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
- How severe is COVID-19?
- How does novel coronavirus spread?
- How concerned should people in Orange County, CA be about COVID-19?
- What is being done to identify and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus?
- What should I do if I traveled to a country with widespread transmission of COVID-19?
- How can I help protect myself?
- Should I be wearing a facemask?
- What are the treatments for novel coronavirus?
- How do I get tested for COVID-19?
- What does the federal declaration of novel coronavirus as a public health emergency mean?
- What does the County Health Officer's declaration of a local health emergency due to COVID-19 actually mean?
- What does Governor Newsom and California Department of Public Health’s guidance on gatherings mean?
- What is the current case count?
- What information will you share about cases?
What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
How severe is COVID-19?
How does novel coronavirus spread?
How concerned should people in Orange County, CA be about COVID-19?
What is being done to identify and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus?
What should I do if I traveled to a country with widespread transmission of COVID-19?
How can I help protect myself?
Should I be wearing a facemask?
What are the treatments for novel coronavirus?
How do I get tested for COVID-19?
What does the federal declaration of novel coronavirus as a public health emergency mean?
What does the County Health Officer's declaration of a local health emergency due to COVID-19 actually mean?
What does Governor Newsom and California Department of Public Health’s guidance on gatherings mean?
What is the current case count?
What information will you share about cases?
COVID-19 Posters & Infographics
Health Agency Public Information
As we continue to monitor the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation, we are working closely with expert agencies such as the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). Below are revised health guidelines for schools from OCHCA in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ national public health emergency declaration issued Friday, January 31, 2020.
Additional Information and Resources
- CA.Gov - Resources for Emotional Support and Well-Being
- CA.Gov - Managing Stress for Health
- California Department of Public Health - School Guidance, 03/07/20
- California Department of Public Health - Guidance for Mass Gatherings/Large Events, 03/07/20
- California Department of Public Health - Higher Education Guidance, 03-07-20
- California Department of Public Health Update 02/25/20
- Orange County Health Care Agency FAQ
- OC Care Agency - Novel Coronavirus "What You Should Know" Infographic
- OC Care Agency - Novel Coronavirus "What You Should Know" Infographic - Spanish
- OC Care Agency - Novel Coronavirus "What You Should Know" Infographic-Simplified Chinese
- OUSD Health Guidelines "When To Keep Your Child Home" - English
- OUSD Health Guidelines "When To Keep Your Child Home" - Spanish
- Coping With Stress
- Coronavirus: Stay Home if You're Sick
- Coronavirus: Proper Handwashing
OUSD staff will continue to closely monitor this situation, which is evolving as countries and expert health agencies learn more about the Coronavirus. As we have updates, information and resources from OCHCA or other agencies, the District will provide them to our community.
Thank you in advance for your partnership.
Together, we can keep our community healthy and safe.
Safety is Our Top Priority
Please be aware that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We continue to receive guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Orange County Department of Education, and local agencies to protect your health.
Staff is involved with ongoing conference calls with representatives from the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) to remain up-to-date on the current COVID-19 situation and general recommendations for Orange County K-12 schools. While officials say the risk to the general public is currently low, OCHCA acknowledges the situation is rapidly evolving, and our district is closely monitoring developments. We understand that news reports about COVID-19 have elevated concerns within our school community, and we want to assure you that we are committed to protecting students and staff in learning environments that are safe and inclusive.
We have increased the availability of hand sanitizer in classrooms and remain committed to daily cleaning routines that help prevent the spread of illness in classrooms and in common areas, such as gyms. Additionally, we are working with OCDE and other local agencies to update our emergency plans, which include a section to address issues and needs that could arise during a pandemic.
We are committed to continue to work in concert with our partner agencies to determine the appropriate steps to keep our students and staff safe. More information is available on our website at https://www.orangeusd.org/parent-community-corner/covid-19-information.
For information and news as it develops, please visit the Orange County Health Care Agency website at ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/epidasmt/epi/dip/prevention/novel_coronavirus. They are also on Twitter and Facebook.
OCHCA staff is also available to answer questions Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m via their Health Referral Line: 1-800-564-8448.
This remains a rapidly evolving situation, and there is still a lot we still don’t know, including how and when Orange County may be impacted. Our district will post new information on our website and social media as it becomes available. In addition, be sure to connect with these resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus
- Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades
- CDC Healthy Habits to Help Prevent the Flu
- Orange County Health Care Agency
- California Department of Public Health
- OCDE Newsroom: Coronavirus updates
- California Department of Education: Flu Prevention
- California Department of Education: FAQ on Pandemic Flu
- Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
- FAQ for J-13A Waiver Process
- Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools
Thank you in advance for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools