State superintendent puts power in local hands. WCPS says reported COVID-19 cases ‘do not warrant actions such as school closures.’

Wayne County Public Schools are not contemplating closing at this time, local officials announced Saturday.

“Based on the current guidance from local, state and federal health officials, reported cases of COVID-19 in the community do not warrant actions such as school closures,” said Ken Derksen, communications and public relations officer for WCPS.

County officials announced Friday that a presumptive case of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has been identified in Wayne County.

The patient, who is experiencing minor symptoms, is quarantined at home, officials said, but the diagnosis will not become official until test results are back from the Centers for Disease Control.

The district has already taken precautionary measures in response to the COVID-19 risk, suspending extra-curricular activities “until further notice.”

That includes driver’s education, 4H programs and all WCPS events that “attract large gatherings during the school day.”

The district, in line with a decision made by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, has also suspended spring athletics through April 6.

WCPS also announced that it would bring in “professional biohazard-certified cleaning services” on a “regular rotation” to sanitize local schools.

Statewide, three major school districts have shut their doors.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Orange County and Durham County school systems will keep students off campus starting Monday in an effort to “slow the spread of the virus.”

State Superintendent Mark Johnson said he was leaving closure decisions to local communities.

“Ultimately, the decision for each local community will come down to the local health official and the local superintendent,” he said.

Gov. Roy Cooper has already advised against gatherings of more than 100 people and said he has the authority to make that advisement a mandate.

Update: The Wayne County School Board will hold a “special called meeting” at 12:30 p.m. Monday to discuss “current and potential actions in response to COVID-19.” Meanwhile, Wake County announced this afternoon that its school district has canceled school through at least March 27.