FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2022
Masking Recommendations for All Marshall County Schools
Marshall County has seen a decrease in positive COVID 19 cases in our county over the past few weeks. Our MCHD LifePlex COVID 19 testing site has also seen decreasing numbers of ill individuals seeking testing. Marshall County is trending in a positive direction.
Keeping Marshall County students in school with in-person learning has been a high priority for MCHD. Last year, Marshall County was fortunate to be able to keep children in school and mitigate the transmission of COVID 19 in our community. Because of the current decline, and what the MCHD is seeing at our test site, and the decrease of positive cases in our county, the following guidance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL MARSHALL COUNTY SCHOOLS:
1. Due to the decline of positive cases of the Omicron variant, MCHD is recommending optional
indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools
regardless of vaccination status. This will go into effect Monday, February 21st.
2. Testing, ventilation, handwashing, and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and
getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and
disinfection is still important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.
3. Students, teachers, and staff should stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness
and be referred for testing and to their healthcare provider for further care.
MCHD does not want to close schools. Education of our children is of upmost importance. However, if absenteeism rates surge, action will have to ensue. MCHD is asking the community to come together and continue the decrease the spread of COVID 19. These same principles could also be beneficial and used throughout the community, not just in schools.
MCHD will continue to monitor the present situation and make recommendations for a safe and healthier Marshall County.
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Faith Freed, MPH
Marshall County Health Department Administrator