Albany, N.Y. (WBEN) - As COVID-19 positivity rates in in Erie County and Western New York continue to be problematic, New york State is now offering formal guidance for schools located in orange and red micro cluster zones in the state.
The formalized guidance impacts schools in Erie County where a majority of the most populated districts are located within an orange zone and there are fears of the state downgrading some areas to red zones.
As has been discussed by Governor Andrew Cuomo during several briefings as he touts the state's new 'winter plan', schools in the orange and red zones are not required to cease in-person learning.
Now the state has issued the formal guidance schools must follow in order to allow for in-person learning.
The guidance comes following a recommendation from the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association in the form of a letter to the governor dated November 24. In a statement Sunday morning, Michael Cornell, Hamburg Schools Superintendent and leader of the association said; "We applaud the Governor and the New York State Department of Health for listening to the consensus of school superintendents in Western New York and across the state."
Schools in red and orange zones must complete an attestation on the school survey, in addition to required dashboard reporting, that the school is complying with the testing requirements below.
Schools in an Orange Zone
For schools located in a geographic area designated as an Orange Zone, a total of 20% of in-person students, faculty and staff must be tested for COVID-19 over the one month period following the zone designation. The numbers tested should be proportionately spread across the month with 10% the maximum/minimum to be tested biweekly.
Schools in a Red Zone
For schools located in a geographic area designated as a Red Zone, a total of 30% of in person students, faculty and staff must be tested for COVID-19 over the one month period following the zone designation. The numbers tested should be proportionately spread across the month with 15% the maximum/minimum to be tested biweekly.
Schools in either an Orange or Red Zone
If the random sampling generates 9 or more positive cases in any school, or if for a sample size of more than 300 weekly tests, achieves a positivity rate of 2% or higher (6 cases or more depending on sample size) in New York City, or 3% (9 or more cases depending on sample size) outside of New York City, of one such discrete sample, then the school will be required to close.
In addition, all schools in orange or red zones are required to continue to adhere to all existing State-issued requirements.