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Friday classes at Riverside Prep suspended after well test positive for E. coli bacteria

The Oro Grande School District has decided to cancel school at Riverside Prep Friday after a community well tested positive for E. coli bacteria.

ORO GRANDE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The Oro Grande School District has decided to cancel classes at Riverside Prep on Friday after learning that a well near the school had tested positive for E. coli bacteria.

School officials said they were notified by San Bernardino County officials at 10:30 am, on Thursday, March 7, 2019, that water in a well on the border of Victorville and Oro Grande that serves the local community tested positive.

After receiving the notice described as a “standard precautionary procedure”, school faculty acted quickly and immediately shut off all drinking fixtures, including the sinks on campus.

“While we have taken steps to provide bottled water, hand sanitizer and pre-packaged meals, and shut down all drinking fixtures on campus Thursday, County officials anticipate the earliest notification on further testing will not be until Saturday, when we anticipate receiving an all clear,” stated school officials.

The Oro Grande School District made the decision to cancel Friday’s classes at Riverside Prep, according to an update on the school’s Facebook page.

“While no E. Coli bacteria has been detected on any of the Riverside Prep campuses and the only positive test was found in a well along the Victorville and Oro Grande border, out of an abundance of caution we are making this decision,” officials said.

“Keeping our students and staff healthy at school is our top priority,” said Superintendent Heather Griggs. “Our focus now is to ensure our students are not affected by this County water problem and that safe drinking water is provided to our school’s students and staff.”

The school confirmed Saturday school is also canceled. Officials are working to determine if the baseball game will be postponed or relocated.

According to Web MD, E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in your intestines. “Most types of E. coli are harmless and even help keep your digestive tract healthy. But some strains can cause diarrhea if you eat contaminated food or drink fouled water,” according to the site.

Symptoms of intestinal infection due to E. coli

  • abdominal cramping.
  • sudden, severe watery diarrhea that may change to bloody stools.
  • gas.
  • loss of appetite or nausea.
  • vomiting (uncommon)
  • fatigue.
  • fever.

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