WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT ISSUES STATEMENT ON SCHOOL RE-OPENING

Aug. 13, 2021 - As schools prepare for the upcoming year the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is issuing a statement regarding COVID-19 mitigation measures on school campuses.

On July 27, the CDC released new guidance that wearing a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission will maximize protection from the Delta variant and possibly prevent spreading it to others, regardless of vaccination status.

At current levels of viral activity in our communities, increased student contact through on-campus classes and extracurricular activities will likely result in more infections and additional spread of COVID-19, including the possibility of hospitalizations and significant complications amongst those in close contact. COVID-19 cases in children from June through July 2021 represented 22% of all known cases. As such, WCCHD recommends the following layered mitigation strategies:

Promotion of vaccination in eligible populations 12 years and older
Consistent and correct mask usage
Physical distancing and improved ventilation
Isolation, contact tracing and mandatory quarantine

“Due to the circulating and highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus and consistent with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our recommendation supports universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status,” said Dr. Amanda Norwood, WCCHD Medical Director. “We know from the success schools had last year in keeping cases very low, there is an opportunity for students to return in person safely by following these tried and true personal protection measures.”

CDC Prevention Strategies to Reduce Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools: https://bit.ly/3fTDruL

For more information about WCCHD, visit www.wcchd.org or call 512-943-3600.

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