Loveland District says staff absences may cause last-minute notice of school closing
Loveland, Ohio – In a news release issued this afternoon, the Loveland School District said that during the next few weeks, some school buildings may have to temporarily switch to remote learning because of staff absences.
The District said in the release, “This year it has become challenging to find substitute teachers, and we may run short on staffing due to COVID-19 cases or quarantines.” If this happens, a switch to remote learning will happen on a school-by-school basis. The District said they are trying to plan ahead so that families can plan ahead, however, these changes may happen as late as the morning of scheduled attendance.
They suggest that parents and caregivers should begin considering how they might handle a possible late-notice class cancelation.
The District said they will notify families as “quickly as possible” about closings through their alert notification system, the website, Facebook (Loveland City Schools), and Twitter (@lovelandtigers) pages.
CDC still recommends 14 days however District adopts a less restrictive “acceptable alternative” quarantine period
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a change in guidance for quarantines. The new guidance shortens the quarantine period for someone who has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case. The Ohio Department of Health has also adopted the new CDC guidelines, as has Hamilton County Public Health.
The District said in the release that the new less restrictive guideline notification came to them late today. They will begin implementing those directives and will personally notify families affected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new quarantine guidelines for people who were exposed to coronavirus, reducing the length of time from 14 days to 10 days without symptoms or seven days with no symptoms and a negative test. Officials said the shorter time period is intended to encourage more people to quarantine.
Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said today, “Staying home for 14 days after contact is still the safest way to limit possible spread of COVID-19. We continue to recommend this time period for people in congregate living facilities, such as nursing homes; in workplaces with a large number of employees; and in other settings in which COVID-19 could spread extensively.”
Dr. Andy Thomas, chief clinical officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, yesterday warned that “Ohio is not yet seeing the impact of gatherings that took place over Thanksgiving because hospitalizations are a lagging indicator. Symptoms generally develop within 10 days of transmission, and hospitalizations typically occur a week after diagnosis.”
According to CBS News the CDC rationale for the less restrictive guidelines is:
“Reducing the length of quarantine may encourage more people to do so, especially when they may not be able to work during quarantine time,” CDC’s COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Henry Walke, told reporters on a call Wednesday. He said the agency still recommends 14 days, but is now offering two “acceptable alternative quarantine periods.”
According to the District, “We are pleased with these new recommendations from an educational perspective. Our goal is to keep students learning in our school buildings and shortening the required quarantine time is key.”
This is the District’s COVID 19 Dashboard published today:
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a non-teaching, non-school-based staff member tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member was last at work on 11/30/20.
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/18/20.
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Middle School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/18/20.
On 12/04/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/30/20.
On 12/04/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 12/02/20.
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 12/01/20.
On 12/02/20, the district was notified that a teaching staff member at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member was last at school on 11/24/20. No close contacts were identified for this confirmed case.
On 12/02/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/30/20.
On 12/1/20, the district was notified that a non-teaching staff member at Loveland High School tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member was last at work on 11/18/20. No close contacts were identified for this confirmed case.
