ESCANABA — Local schools have been making preparations related to the arrival of the coronavirus in the United States.

Escanaba Area Public Schools Superintendent Coby Fletcher said coronavirus is not his district’s primary health-related concern at the moment.

“For us, the bigger issue is influenza by miles,” he said.

However, he noted that many of the tactics used to limit the spread of the flu can also help limit the spread of other diseases.

“In dealing with influenza, you cover a lot of the recommendations for coronavirus,” Fletcher said.

Escanaba Area Public Schools keeps an eye on how many of its students are out sick, what they are out sick for, what their symptoms are and the rate at which these numbers are increasing or decreasing.

“That gives us some idea of what the state of illness is in the district,” Fletcher said.

Sanitary efforts at buildings used by the district are also continuing.

“We work really hard to keep the buildings as clean as possible,” Fletcher said, noting frequently-touched surfaces in the district’s buildings are disinfected on a regular basis.

Beyond these precautions, Fletcher said Escanaba Area Public Schools plans to heed any instructions issued by Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties (PHDM) on coronavirus.

“We would rely on the recommendations of the health department and/or medical professionals,” he said.

Bay College President Laura Coleman said Bay will follow PHDM recommendations on coronavirus, as well. The college does have a contingency plan in place if PHDM and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that local educational facilities need to be closed.

“All of our students would be able to continue with their classes online,” she said.

In response to the threat of coronavirus — as well as the ongoing flu season — Bay is taking advantage of a break in its class schedule to thoroughly sanitize its campus.

“Our facility group is doing a deep clean this week, as our students are out on spring break,” Coleman said.

Additionally, the college has been sending notifications to its employees on coronavirus.