Rockwall ISD Ebola Update
Rockwall ISD Parents and Staff,
Rockwall ISD recognizes the need to clearly and openly communicate with you about the Ebola virus impacting the Dallas area. Below is the latest information we have received today about how the situation impacts Rockwall ISD and Rockwall County.
In the interest of public health and awareness, it has been brought to the attention of Rockwall County health officials and partner agencies that there are five residents of Rockwall county being monitored for the Ebola virus who are considered low-risk. All five are being monitored by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What has been revealed to our community officials concerning these individuals is as follows:
- All five live in Rockwall County. Local and county officials do not know the specific city in which each resides.
- One is a health care worker that works at Presbyterian Dallas and is said to be low-risk.
- Four others were on a commercial flight this week with a patient that later tested positive for Ebola. The passengers are said to be low-risk at this time. One of these passengers has two school age children in Rockwall County. At this time we do not know where the children attend school.
As a reminder the Ebola virus is not airborne and can not be transmitted unless a person comes in direct contact with bodily fluids of a symptomatic person. None of the individuals in Rockwall County are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
Identifying information such as names and addresses were not provided to any City or County representatives. These individuals are being monitored by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Representatives from Rockwall County, city officials, Rockwall ISD and Royse City ISD are working together to monitor the situation, educate and protect the safety of our health care workers, first responders, students and residents.
Additional information is being provided by Royse City ISD regarding a health care worker living within Royse City ISD who is being monitored by the CDC. This individual is not among the five noted as living in Rockwall County. Visit the Royse City ISD website for more information at rcisd.org.
Officials from all cities in Rockwall County, the Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management, Rockwall ISD and Royse City ISD will provide additional information as it becomes available. For up to date information regarding the Ebola virus please visit the CDC website at: cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
Rockwall ISD will continue to openly communicate with you as we receive more information about this matter. Additional information will be available at rockwallisd.com.
Note: I was the primary copywriter but I worked with a team of school district administrators to craft the message.