Statement on School Outbreak Threshold
TriCounty Health Department is working with local School Districts
TriCounty Health Department is working closely with local school districts on protecting health and preserving in-person learning. Joint protocols have been developed to ensure a quick response in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak at school. Protocols were proven effective during response to positive cases at schools during the first week of school.
Thresholds have been put in place to determine steps to avoid reaching outbreak status. A COVID-19 outbreak in a class is three linked individual positive COVID-19 cases within two weeks. A school outbreak is 15 positive COVID-19 cases within two weeks throughout the school. Two cases are linked when a connection to exposure is found.
As of Sept. 1, 2020, there has not been an outbreak of COVID-19 in a local school or classroom. TCHD reminds the public to stay home when feeling sick. Wear a face covering in public settings where a physical distance of six feet or greater is not possible. Wearing a face covering helps lower the risk of spreading COVID-19. Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and stay home while waiting for results.