DOVER, Del. --- Delaware Gov. John Carney on Friday directed all Delaware public schools to close for two weeks to allow for better preparations to prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
In a letter to superintendents and charter school leaders, Carney said the state would work with them and public health experts to create a plan for Delaware students and educators as the national outbreak continued. The state would also specifically prepare for the potential impact of extended school closures on the state's children.
Public schools were also advised to undertake a deep cleaning of their facilities during the two-week closure.
"Delaware children deserve a world-class education, and ongoing access to services that are delivered in our schools each day. Many students – especially those from disadvantaged communities – also rely on school meals for nutrition, and other important social services," he wrote. "We will be working with districts to plan for providing learning opportunities and other meal and social services for our students in the event of an extended closure."
The news comes after Delaware said it had reached a total of four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the First State. The Delaware Division of Public Health on Friday said that, so far, a total of 36 tests have returned negative results, and 32 persons under investigation are awaiting test results. DPH is currently monitoring 54 individuals.
