The Lake County Department of Health has just issued a press release recommending all public and private schools transition to remote learning
On October 11, 2020, the 7 day rolling average daily incidence rate, or new case rate, in Lake County rose above 14 cases per 100,000 residents. Since then, the rate has risen sharply to over 20 cases per 100,000 residents. Over 14 new cases per day per 100,000 residents (which is the same as 100 new cases per week per 100,000 residents) is considered ‘substantial’ community transmission of COVID-19.
Under the Northern Illinois Return to School Metrics plan used in Lake County, 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 residents = Virtual learning model
- Moderate community transmission = ≥7 and ≤14 cases per 100,000 residents = Hybrid learning model
- Minimal community transmission = <7 cases per 100,000 residents = In-person learning model
The Health Department’s recommendation will return to hybrid learning once the county returns to the ‘moderate’ level for 7 consecutive days. Under the plan, the Health Department is also monitoring COVID-19 testing turnaround time, which has been relatively stable since the summer.