A robot lent by Norman Regional Health System disinfects a classroom at Roosevelt Elementary School in Norman with ultraviolet light on Tuesday. [Photo provided by Norman Regional]

Oklahoma City — Moore Public Schools got a temporary addition to their cleaning staff last week when Norman Regional Health System lent out a robot to “zap” germs.

The schools already have a robust cleaning system, with a well-trained custodial staff and their own robots that spray a chlorine mist, Superintendent Robert Romines said. But an extra layer of protection was worthwhile in buildings that have had high absence rates due to illness.

“Anything that it can contribute to killing germs at the sites we're using it is beneficial,” he said.

The hospital is lending the robots as part of an outreach program, said Clyde Brawner, director of environmental services at Norman Regional. They also lent the robots to schools in the Norman and Noble districts.