Although crews were continuing, this weekend, to sanitize a western Riverside County school amid coronavirus concerns, the county's public health officer reiterated that he is not going to order the cancellation of any upcoming, large events.

However, Dr. Cameron Kaiser said in a Saturday tweet that this decision could change depending on the circumstances.

Late Friday, county officials disclosed that a Murrieta Valley Unified School District employee, who is ill and had recently visited a country with a coronavirus outbreak, is being tested for novel coronavirus.

And, officials added, the more than 70 Murrieta Valley High School students who may have come in contact with that person have been instructed to self-quarantine.

In a phone interview Friday night, Riverside County Public Health Department Disease Control Branch Chief Barbara Cole said the person's test will be sent to a California Department of Public Health lab in Richmond.

Riverside County is not able to conduct tests locally, as the county’s public health lab is undergoing renovations and would have to be re-certified before being allowed to conduct its own tests, Jose Arballo, Riverside County public health department spokesman, said earlier this week.

The results of the person's test will likely be ready by the middle of next week, Cole said, adding that the 71 students will not be tested at this time.

Kaiser said that while he agreed with the decision to close the school, he wanted to "reassure the students, families and staff at MVHS that the risk of transmission is low ..."

The school will be closed Monday and will remain closed until the testing of the employee is completed.

In the meantime, efforts to sanitize the campus began in earnest.

Bill Olien, the district's deputy superintendent, said via email Saturday morning that trained in-house staff were performing the cleaning.

"We have a team of people who are disinfecting every surface on campus," he said. "This involves using industry standard products, letting it remain on the surface for the required time and then coming back and wiping it down.

"It is a very time-consuming process but, again, we are following the established procedures and best practices," he added.

Murrieta Valley Unified Superintendent Pat Kelley said "the health and safety of our students is our first concern."

In an email to staff and families, the district said school nurses will be available on Monday at 7:30 a.m.

Fifteen people have been tested for the virus throughout Riverside County, county spokeswoman Brooke Federico said Saturday. Of the 15 tests, 12 have come back negative and three are pending.

"We are not disclosing areas of the county (where tests have been administered) due to patient privacy," Federico said via email.

On Saturday, Kaiser tweeted that residents may call 211 with health questions. Those with specific coronavirus-related questions may call (800) 232-4636. Those seeking medical advice, should contact their doctors.

On Thursday, county and Palm Springs city officials held a news briefing to quell concerns about the rapidly spreading virus.

Though the Riverside County Public Health Department had not reported any cases of the virus within the county as of that briefing, a Riverside County resident who was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship did test positive for the coronavirus and was treated at a Northern California medical facility.

That person's condition was not immediately available Saturday.

Save the handshake, consider the 'peace sign'

Locally, some in the Coachella Valley have already started to take precautions.

On Friday night at Palm Springs High School, where a speaking event featured author/award-winning journalist Bob Woodward, guests were told not to shake hands with Woodward, who wore gloves as he signed copies of his books.

Officials at Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert. in an email to congregants, said they will still be greeted Sunday "with a warm smile," but "to lessen the risks ... without a handshake." Instead, they should consider offering one another the "peace sign" or "placing your hand over your heart."

Church officials encouraged visitors to use several hand-sanitizing stations that have been set up at the church's entrance. Those who feel sick are urged to stay home and consult a doctor.

"You can always participate in worship by watching our services live on Facebook," the church said.

In La Quinta on Saturday, the Kardashian family also did its part to keep down the spread of the virus while gathered at Kris Jenner's home there.

According to an Instagram photo posted by Kim Kardashian West, Kris and Kendall Jenner donned sweatshirts that read, “Please Wash your Hands 2020.” The sweatshirts are sold by Talentless, a brand founded by Scott Disick.

In Long Beach, about 120 miles west of Palm Springs, a cruise ship was docked after a passenger was taken to a hospital. City officials said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided to keep passengers on board until the hospitalized passenger could be evaluated and tested for the coronavirus.

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Desert Sun reporter Kristin Scharkey contributed to this report.

Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at shane.newell@desertsun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane.