Displaying items by tag: COVID19

Press Release

January 4, 2021

Following the provisions outlined in the Utah Department of Health’s public health order and School Manual, Weber School District will continue testing students and staff for COVID-19 as part of the "Test to Play" initiative. The testing involves individuals who are participating in extracurricular activities. This includes winter sports, band, cheer, drill, choir, debate, and theater.

Testing teams are comprised of administrators, nurses, and other school personnel from each of our four main high schools. The teams are administering the BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test, which provides results within 15 minutes.

The third round of testing was conducted on Monday, January 4, 2021. Here are the results:

All Weber School District schools were closed between December 23, 2020 and January 3, 2021 for winter break. Students returned to the classrooms on Monday, January 4 with the exception of Fremont High School, which reopened on Tuesday, January 5.

The overall positivity rate for round three was 1.88%, which is decrease from round two (3.88%).

Weber School District will continue to test students and staff every two weeks according to state guidelines.

https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/Health/UPHO-2020-26-Updated-Statewide-COVID-19-Restrictions.pdf

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Parents and Staff,

Beginning January 4 through the end of February, the Utah Department of Health is offering free COVID-19 rapid antigen testing in communities across the state. Some of the mobile testing will be done in school facilities.

Areas are chosen based on high positivity rates, lower numbers of tests conducted, untreated wastewater sampling, and other surveillance data.

Anyone can get tested at these free testing clinics, even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone who wants to be tested can register online. However, we also encourage anyone who might have any symptoms, even mild ones, to come and get tested. Online registration is encouraged to cut down on any potential delays at the testing site. If you can’t register online, you will be able to register at the site. Identification is required.

The goal of these testing clinics is to more quickly identify people who are currently infectious with COVID-19, including those who may not even know they are infected because they don’t have symptoms. Identifying these individuals will help slow the spread of infection in the community.

Test results will be emailed to those tested within 30-60 minutes after being tested.

Rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than PCR tests. Antigen tests work best when someone has symptoms of COVID-19 or when a person has high amounts of virus in their body. If an individual has symptoms and tests negative on the rapid antigen test or an individual doesn’t have symptoms and tests positive on the rapid antigen test, they will be referred for a follow up, confirmation PCR test.

Testing teams will consist of Utah Department of Health staff, deployed National Guard members, and TestUtah contracted teams.

Testing Sites

Davis County:

• Freeport Center, Clearfield, Wednesday, 1/6/2021 and Thursday, 1/7/2021 – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. (both days)
  Registration link: https://c19.health.utah.gov/surveys/?s=TCRCL9RD8E&siteid=FCC-DSD

• Woods Cross High School, 600 W 2200 S, Woods Cross, Friday, 1/8/2021 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 1/9/2021 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Registration link: https://c19.health.utah.gov/surveys/?s=TCRCL9RD8E&siteid=WCHS-DSD

Weber County:

• Ogden School District, Building 8, 1950 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, Monday 1/4/2021 and Tuesday 1/5/2021 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days)
  Registration link: https://c19.health.utah.gov/surveys/?s=TCRCL9RD8E&siteid=CO-OSD

December 22, 2020

Following the provisions outlined in the Utah Department of Health’s public health order and School Manual, Weber School District will continue testing students and staff for COVID-19 as part of the "Test to Play" initiative. The testing involves individuals who are participating in extracurricular activities. This includes winter sports, band, cheer, drill, choir, debate, and theater.

Testing teams are comprised of administrators, nurses, and other school personnel from each of our four main high schools. The teams are administering the BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test, which provides results within 15 minutes.

The first round of testing was conducted on December 10 and 11. The second round of testing took place on Monday, December 21. Below are the test results from round two:

Bonneville had five new cases. The school is in soft closure until January 4, 2021. Currently, there are 31 active cases at the school.

Fremont had 16 new cases spread across multiple groups. The school entered into soft closure for two weeks on December 21. Students are scheduled to return to class on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Currently, there are 36 active cases at the school.

Roy had 10 new cases spread across multiple groups. School is out for winter break, with students scheduled to return to the class on January 4, 2021. The situation will be re-evaluated prior to returning to determine if the classes should be moved online. Currently, there are 19 active cases at the school.

Weber had two new cases. The school is in soft closure with students scheduled to return to class on January 4, 2021. Currently, there are 15 active cases at the school.

The overall positivity rate was 3.9%, which is an increase from round one (1.8%).

Weber School District will continue to test students and staff every two weeks according to state guidelines. Round three of "Test to Play" will be conducted on Monday, January 4, 2021.

https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/Health/UPHO-2020-26-Updated-Statewide-COVID-19-Restrictions.pdf

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Modifications to current health guidelines were announced this morning by the governor and the Utah Department of Health. These guidelines go into effect on January 4, 2021, when we return from winter break. In summary:

• The current public health orders will be extended through January, 21, 2021. This includes the mask mandate.

• In-school exposures. If an individual is exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the school environment, and both individuals are wearing masks during the period of exposure, the person exposed is no longer required to quarantine. Contract tracing will still be conducted. Parents will need to monitor their students for symptoms for the 14 days following an exposure, and keep them home if they are sick. If it can't be verified that both individuals were wearing masks, then the person exposed will need to follow current quarantine procedures.

• Teachers are able to get tested on a weekly basis upon request, or they can elect to be tested as part of "Test to Play." 

• The governor indicated that vaccinations for teachers should be available by mid-January. There is a tentative schedule on the state's website.

• The case threshold for closing has been modified for schools with over 1500 students. The new threshold is now 1% of the student population, instead of 15 cases. For example, the threshold for Fremont will move to 20 cases, Roy 18 cases and Weber 20 cases. All other schools will remain at 15 cases.

• The "rule of three" (Three individuals testing positive in the same classroom within a two-week period) will only apply to elementary schools. Classes in secondary will no longer be quarantined when there are three or more cases in one classroom.

• "Test to Stay." When the case threshold is met, a school has the option of moving online for 10 days, or testing all of its students. Students who test negative will be allowed to continue with in-person instruction. Students who test positive or don't test, will move to virtual learning for 10 days. Positive cases identified in this testing will not count toward the threshold to close.

• Targeted testing in certain communities will be available after the holidays.

• "Test to Play" will remain in effect. About 12,000 tests have been administered throughout the state with a positivity rate of 1.6%

For more information, please visit:

https://www.pbsutah.org/live-daily-updates-covid-19-utah

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/education/school-manual/

Press Release

"COVID-19 Testing"

December 11, 2020

Following the mandates outlined in the State Public Health issued on December 8, 2020, Weber School District began testing students and staff for COVID-19 this week. The testing involves individuals who are participating in extracurricular activities. This includes winter sports, band, cheer, drill, choir, and theater.

Testing teams, which include administrators, nurses, and other school personnel, were organized at each of our four main high schools. The teams are administering the BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test that provides results within 15 minutes.

Testing was conducted at Bonneville High School and Fremont High School on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Testing took place today (December 11, 2020) at Roy High School and Weber High School. In order to protect privacy, the district does not release specific information about individuals who test positive, or information that may lead to person being identified. Below are the test results:

The 13 positive cases at Bonneville were spread across multiple groups. The school has quarantined the wrestling team after multiple individuals associated with the team tested positive. Bonneville entered a period of soft closure on Tuesday, December 8, after an outbreak of COVID-19 occurred at the school. After Thursday’s testing, there are 35 active cases of COVID-19 at the school. In-person instruction is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 4, 2021.

The three positive tests at Fremont were all associated with individuals who had previously tested positive and had been cleared to return to school. Fremont recently returned from soft closure on December 3, after being online for a period of two weeks. Currently, there are seven active cases at the school after returning from soft closure.

Out of 245 individuals tested at Roy High, only two tested positive. Roy High returned from its second soft closure on Monday, December 7. Currently, there are two active cases at the school.

180 individuals were tested at Weber High, resulting in two positive cases. The wrestling team has been quarantined for two weeks. Weber High has been experiencing a high number of cases over the past week or so. This afternoon, they surpassed the threshold of 15 positive cases within a 14-day period. Currently, there are 19 active cases and the school will transition online for two weeks beginning Monday, December 14.  In-person instruction is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Testing of individuals this week for participation in extracurricular activities did not have a significant impact on the overall case counts at each high school, and did not affect the decision to close any schools. The overall positivity rate from the testing was just 1.8%

Attached are some photos of the testing that was conducted at Bonneville. You have permission to use these photos. In the photo of the student being testing, please reference to the following information: "Jordan Citte, a senior at Bonneville High School, is tested for COVID-19 by Lisa Phelps, the head nurse at the school."

Weber School District will continue to test students and staff every two weeks according to state guidelines.

https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/Health/UPHO-2020-26-Updated-Statewide-COVID-19-Restrictions.pdf

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Low Risk Test and Return

A student, teacher, or staff member who was exposed at school to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 may return to work at a school or in-person learning if he or she meets ALL of the following:  

1. The school verifies the student, teacher or staff member who was exposed and the person who tested positive were both wearing a face mask as defined by the State Public Health Order on masks in schools. 
2. The quarantined student, teacher, or staff member has a negative COVID-19 test result (must be a PCR or antigen test, not an antibody test). The test result must be from at least 7 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive. 
3. The student, teacher, or staff member does not have symptoms of COVID-19.

The Low Risk Test and Return protocol does not apply to students, teachers, staff, or settings that are exempt from the State Public Health Order on masks in schools. 

If the student, teacher, or staff member who was exposed meets ALL three criteria he or she may return to work, school or related activities, if the employee or the parents of the student choose. If the person does not meet ALL three criteria or chooses not to get tested, he or she should quarantine at home for 14 days from the last day of exposure. 

Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 and comes back to school must continue to watch for symptoms. If employees or students get symptoms, they should isolate at home and call their healthcare provider.

These guidelines only apply to exposures that occur at school. 

On 10/8/2020, State Superintendent Dickson announced the following recommended adjustments to the state's quarantine guidelines. This new guidance is exclusive to exposures occurring at school. 

According to the new guidelines, "A student, teacher or staff member who was exposed at school to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 may return to work at school or in-person learning if he or she meets ALL of the following:

1. The school verifies the student, teacher or staff member who was exposed and the person who tested positive were both wearing a face mask as defined by the State Public Health Order on masks in schools.
2. The quarantined students, teacher or staff member has a negative COVID-19 test result (must be a PCR or antigen test, not an antibody test). The test result must be from at least 7 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive.
3. The student, teacher, or staff member does not have symptoms of COVID-19."

It's important to note, this only applies to exposures that occur at school. Community, social, household and other types of exposures are still subject to the 14-day quarantine requirement.

Weber School District will begin following the state's new guidelines beginning Monday, November 2, 2020 (The start of 2nd term). The guidance does not apply to staff and students who are currently in quarantine.

It will be the responsibility of a student's parents to complete certain steps before a student will be considered eligible to return to school under these new guidelines. This includes completing all necessary paperwork, having their child tested, and submitting required documentation to the school's Point of Contact (POC). Testing will need to be done at an approved testing site since the district does not administer COVID-19 tests. 

As a reminder, if it can't be verified that the student, teacher or staff member who was exposed and the person who tested positive were both wearing a face mask during the exposure, the quarantine period will not be adjusted and will remain at 14 days.  

Although there may be times when masks aren't required under the public health order like during lunch, recess, PE, sporting events or other extracurricular activities, any student who is identified as potentially exposed in these situations where masks aren't being worn, will not be eligible to return early from the 14-day quarantine period. 

The district is in the process of hiring additional Point of Contacts (POCs), to assist our school nurses with the contact tracing process. Many of these new POCs should be place by November 2nd. This is part of the reason for the delay in implementing the proposed changes.

If a student, teacher or staff member is identified as potentially being exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the school environment, they will be contacted by a representative from the school who will inform them of the quarantine requirements, including the criteria outlined above.

Colleagues,

At the request of many of our School Superintendents and Charter Directors, a school medical advisory group met and recommended adjustments to the 14 day quarantine.  The Utah Dept. of Health, under the direction of Governor Herbert, has approved the attached Low Risk Test and Return guidance.  The medical experts on the advisory group indicate that this aligns with the best medical practice of adjusting the intensity of intervention based on risk and consequences of overprescribing an intervention.  Key points aligned with this practice are:

• Masks are effective at preventing transmission in classroom settings
• This only applies to mask on mask exposure
• Only applies to exposures that occurred in school
• % of individuals who will develop symptoms do so on: 
  • Day 7 -75%, 
  • Day 9 - 90% 
  • Day 11- 95%
  • Testing picks up positive cases two days before symptoms onset; therefore, testing on day 7 means there is less than a 10% chance that an individual will contract after day 7
• This is for individual exposures, and does not pertain to the threshold recommendations for classroom or school virtual learning

Your local health officers were instrumental in crafting and supporting this update and are ready and willing to assist. The Rapid tests (Abbot BinaxNOW) are still being distributed and your LHO will likely be the best source to know when and where the tests can be accessed.  The COVID-19 School Manual will be updated to reflect this change but the change takes effect immediately. 

We hope this updated guidance will both be an incentive for improved classroom mask wearing behaviors and expedite students getting back into school safely.

With appreciation for your leadership during this challenging time,

Sydnee Dickson, Ed.D.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
250 E. 500 S.
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200
(801) 538-7510 W

Active cases as of:

* There are no elementary schools with more than 2 cases
* We only report exact numbers for schools with more than 5 cases

Updated 1:00PM on 4/16

Yes, a reusable cloth face mask with school colors and logo will be provided to every student and staff member at each of our schools.