Murrieta Valley Unified School District officials announced the closure of Murrieta Valley High School out of an abundance of caution in response to the news that an employee was ill and being tested for COVID-19. The unnamed individual recently traveled to a country with a known coronavirus outbreak.
MVHS will close Monday, March 9, and will remain closed until testing of the affected individual is complete. Officials said the campus will be disinfected during the closure.
“The health and safety of our students is our first concern,” Murrieta Valley Unified School District Superintendent Pat Kelley said. “This decision was made to ensure their health.”
To prevent students and school personnel from becoming sick, Public Health officials issued exclusion orders today to 71 students instructing them to self-quarantine. These students may have come into contact with the sick individual.
“While I want to reassure the students, families, and staff at MVHS that the risk of transmission is low, I support the school district’s decision to temporarily close the school until testing is complete,” Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said.
Public health officials urge the community to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, and keep a distance from others who are sick.
MVHS parents can call 951- 304-1795 for more information about school district actions.
