Declining COVID-19 activity in Clark County won’t translate to expanded school accessFree

Promising numbers that show declining COVID-19 activity in Clark County won’t immediately translate into expanded in-person learning in schools.

Clark County Public Health said on its website Thursday that it won’t consider recommending expanded in-person learning, beginning with the youngest students, until after COVID-19 levels remain in the moderate range for at least three consecutive weeks. COVID-19 activity levels would also need to remain in the moderate range for at least three consecutive weeks before adding hybrid in-person learning for older students.

“The three-week waiting period will allow Public Health and school administrators to see how the changes affect local COVID-19 activity levels and identify any potential virus transmission the schools,” the announcement said.

Public Health announced seven new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the county’s total to 2,385 cases to date, with 45 deaths. No new deaths have been reported since Wednesday. There were 80 new cases reported Monday for the three previous days, 26 new cases reported Tuesday, five on Wednesday and 48 on Thursday.

There were 20 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday, with four more people hospitalized awaiting tests.

Public health officials detailed their plans surrounding schools and unveiled a new monitor on its website of county’s COVID-19 activity level.

The current graphic shows the county at the top edge of the “moderate” category of 25 to 75 new cases per 100,000 population over 14 days. The most recent weekly calculation released earlier this week had the county’s level at 74.7 new cases per 100,000 residents.

The county’s COVID-19 activity rate has bounced between medium risk and high risk over the past month, ranging from a low of 74.3 cases Aug. 3 to a high of 96.4 cases July 27.

The activity rate calculation is part of a more involved process in deciding the level of safe school reopening. A document explaining the state’s “decision tree” can be found on its website.

In general, the health guidelines are:

High COVID-19 activity: More than 75 new cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days

Recommendations: Distance learning with the option for limited in-person learning for students who need it most, such as children with disabilities and students who are homeless. Sports and extracurricular activities postponed or canceled.

Moderate COVID-19 activity: 25 to 75 new cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days

Recommendations: Distance learning with the option for limited in-person learning for students who need it most, such as children with disabilities and students who are homeless. Gradual expansion of in-person education, beginning with elementary students. Over time, consider adding hybrid in-person learning for middle or high school students. Sports and extracurricular activities postponed or canceled. Consider low-risk activities when all students have some level of in-person learning.

Low COVID-19 activity: Less than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days

Recommendations: Full time in-person learning for all elementary students and hybrid learning for middle and high school students. Over time, and if physical space allows, consider full-time, in-person learning for middle and high school students. Consider low and moderate risk in-person extracurricular activities.

“Clark County Public Health will reference the state’s decision tree framework, monitor COVID-19 activity in the community and consider other factors, such as hospitalization trends and the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive, when making recommendations to schools,” Public Health said.