Switch To Remote Learning Urged For McHenry Co. Schools

Press release from McHenry County Department of Health:

Oct. 24, 2020

McHenry County is experiencing a rapid increase in cases suggesting 'substantial' community transmission of COVID-19.

The school metrics used to better inform superintendents about when to transition between virtual, hybrid and in-person learning models are indicating that schools should consider returning to virtual learning. The school metrics are only used to advise student learning models and is not intended to determine school personnel policies.

Under the plan developed by MCDH and participating superintendents, school metrics used to assist school officials indicate a transition to the next learning model once all four metrics meet their respective evaluation criteria (which can be found in the interim guidance from MCDH).

In addition to using the school metrics, local school district leadership consider other factors, including infrastructure, staffing and requirements laid out in Part 3 – Transition Joint Guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) when deciding transitions between learning models.

Currently, three of the four metrics used to make a transition determination indicate a return to a previous learning model.

“Our data are showing a rapid increase in cases compared to previous weeks,” said Ryan Sachs, Epidemiologist for the McHenry County Department of Health. “Sharp increases like we’re seeing are an early indicator of increased community spread.”

On October 8, the 7 day rolling average daily incidence rate, or new case rate, in McHenry County exceeded 14 cases per 100,000 population. Since then, the rate has risen sharply to over 25 cases per 100,000 population. The metric is considered to have met the criteria for the previous learning model when it has met the threshold for at least 7 of the last 10 days.

Under the McHenry County School Metrics plan school learning model recommendations are based on the 7 day rolling average daily incidence rate as follows:

• Substantial community transmission = >14 cases per 100,000 population = Virtual learning model
• Moderate community transmission = ≥7 and ≤14 cases per 100,000 population = Hybrid learning model
• Minimal community transmission = <7 cases per 100,000 population = In-person learning model

Testing positivity has also exceeded the 8% threshold for hybrid learning. MCDH previously calculated the statistic using methodology originally used by IDPH. Due to changes in the State’s methodology that resulted in differences in reported numbers, MCDH opted to use the State’s number to avoid further confusion. The IDPH uses its own data, not those calculated by the local health departments, when assessing its target metrics and requiring mitigation. As a result of this change, McHenry County exceeded the positivity rate beginning the week of October 13.

The weekly count of new cases increase metric also shows an increase for all cases and has met the criteria for the previous learning model. MCDH reported 207 cases for the week of September 27, followed by an increase to 313 cases during the week of October 4.

Many of the surrounding counties and the state as a whole are seeing a surge in cases. With the current trends, MCDH expects to see a slower decline to a return to metrics that meet the targets.

“Public health experts have advised us on the direction our region is heading,” said Dan Johnson, Superintendent for Johnsburg School District 12. “Communicating with our districts’ families and staff as community spread increases is critical to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our school family. We will continue to keep our families updated as we learn more about this rapidly changing situation.”

“The schools are environments in which extensive mitigation measures have been put in place to keep staff and students safe. When the students and staff leave school and go into their communities or neighborhoods, such mitigation measures may not be so comprehensive,” said Susan Karras, Director of Public Health Nursing for the McHenry County Department of Health. “Everyone needs to wear the mask, watch your distance and wash your hands, but the other side to limiting community spread is cooperating with case investigators and contact tracers by answering the call from 312-777-1999 – COVID CONTACT. We owe it to those closest to us and to the community at large to participate in case investigations so the health department can alert close contacts of their exposure, and reduce the likelihood of inadvertently infecting others.”

The McHenry County School Metrics Dashboard is updated daily Monday through Friday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and includes charts for the 7 day rolling average daily incidence rate, test positivity and COVID-19-Like Illnesses (CLI). A graph also containing the weekly count of new cases increase is updated Friday’s between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and includes data from the previous week.

Visit MCDH’s COVID-19 website (http://bit.ly/mcdhCOVID19) for updates, testing information and other resources. General questions regarding McHenry County School metrics can be sent via email to health@mchenrycountyil.gov.

This press release was produced by McHenry County Department of Health. The views expressed here are the author's own.