DuPage health department issues framework for school reopening

The DuPage County Health Department has issued a "Return to School Framework" with COVID-19 metrics to help educators decide if and when to shift between learning models this school year.

The health department released guidelines Friday for operating schools under three categories of COVID-19 community transmission: minimal, moderate and substantial.

As of Friday, the level of community transmission in DuPage is moderate.

In that environment, the guidelines recommend learning models that maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancing, universal use of face coverings in addition to other precautions, some or no mixing of groups of students and teachers throughout or across school days, and some students participating in virtual and some participating in in-person learning.

When considering a shift to more in-person learning, the guidelines state, all metrics should fall under the identified thresholds for a given level of community transmission for at least two consecutive weeks.

The health department also will work with school administrators to monitor absenteeism, outbreak activity and other trends to inform school decisions.

To view the framework and metrics, visit Dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool. The health department will post the current level of community transmission weekly each Friday afternoon at dupagehealth.org/595/Schools-and-Daycares.