WADENA — A two-week masking period started Monday, Jan. 24, at Wadena-Deer Creek Middle/High School in an effort to curb illness transmission in the district.
With
high coronavirus cases
in the community and staffing impacts, the possibility of distance learning was a discussion at the Wadena-Deer Creek School
board meeting
on Jan. 18. A learning model change isn’t in consideration this week, as of Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Districts have prioritized in-person learning throughout this school year, and hope to continue this learning model as long as possible. Students and staff being sick, including with COVID-19 and the flu, have impacted staffing, keeping up with assignments and transporting students to school and activities.
Most of the coronavirus cases are at the middle/high school level, with 24 student and staff cases (3.3%) for the week of Jan. 21. The number of school cases start a two-week required masking period as of Jan. 24. Following the two weeks, the requirement adjusts based on the transmission percentage returning to below 3%. The elementary school had 10 cases (1.8%), which places the elementary at the moderate level with face coverings recommended. The levels follow the district’s scaled masking plan . The district updates their COVID-19 dashboard on Fridays.
The district also updated their quarantine guidance to follow the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The isolation and quarantine time for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to COVID-19 and are no longer symptomatic is five days. Masking is strongly encouraged for the following five days.
The Minnesota State High School League set guidelines at the beginning of the school year, which were updated on Jan. 20. Students can return to practice after five days but cannot compete until after 10 days are completed. For days six through 10, students must wear a mask at practice and should not travel with the team. Most WDC teams and game schedules have been affected by sickness.
