Schools across the Hudson Valley are taking steps to make sure they are prepared for the coronavirus.

The theme at many public schools across the Hudson Valley is planning and prevention.

"There is no need to panic, but there is a need to be informed,” says Yonkers School Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada.

Quezada’s remark comes as the number of those infected by the coronavirus across the globe continues to escalate.

Letters were sent home to families of Westchester public schools on the subject, and school officials took part in a Health Department webinar Thursday.
"We want to be fully informed, we want to know what are the best practices as they relate to dealing with a potential coronavirus case and what it is that we need to do as a school system,” says Quezada.

The city of Yonkers took part in an hourslong tabletop discussion Thursday with city department heads about the possible impacts of a case or an outbreak.

"This is obviously very new to all of us and it's something that's going to come, and people should not panic, people should be prepared and that's what we're attempting to do is prepare our city for the eventuality of this coming here,” says Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.

Some parents News 12 spoke to didn't want to go on camera, but say they are preparing as much as they can by encouraging their children to practice proper hygiene.

As for Yonkers public schools, the superintendent say they are currently finalizing a letter regarding their plans to staff and parents by the start of next week.