RCS to disinfect against MRSA

No cases reported at RCS.

The RCS School District is taking every effort to protect students from the MRSA bacteria.

MRSA is a type of bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus - that is resistant to many antibiotics. It is being blamed for the death of at least one student in Virginia. At least four cases have been reported in the Capital Region, though none have been fatal.

RCS Facilities Director Eugene Doane announced to Thursday he would have his staff disinfect that afternoon and night all locker rooms, showers, and bathrooms.

The disinfectant that RCS utilizes kills HIV, Hepatitis, Parvo virus, and Staph, he said.

Additionally, custodial staff in all four buildingsl worked throughout Thursday to disinfect door handles, water fountains, lunch tables and other areas. 

At the same time, school nurses have stated that they will start a special lesson for elementary students on the importance of hand washing earlier than usual.

The lessons at Pieter B. Coeymans and A.W. Becker Elementary schools – which combine play acting (a nurse dresses up as a germ and a custodian dresses up as Zorro, the germ killer) and fun activities to stress the importance of hand washing – traditionally are given in late fall. However, as a result of concerns over MRSA, PBC Nurse Patti LeFevre said she hopes to start the lessons in the coming week.

In the athletics department, Director Ron Racey said coaches are continuing their traditional effort of stressing the importance of good hygiene to their players.

“As part of ongoing efforts, we continue to spread personal information to the athletes about the importance of good hygiene, not sharing water clothing or personal items,”  Racey said.

Also, the RCS Aquatics Center will be closed on Sunday to allow the district to "shock" the pool and kill any germs present.

Superintendent Vicki Wright encouraged all parents to be extra vigilant in stressing the importance of good hygiene to their children.

She cited a New York State Department of Health bulletin which states "Careful hand washing is the single most effective way to control spread of MRSA."

For more information on MRSA, click here.

At this time, there are no known cases of MRSA in RCS; however the added protection is being taken in an effort to keep it that way.