LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) – As schools prepare to return after the holiday break next week, officials with Michigan’s health and education departments are asking school district administrators to take action to limit the spread of COVID-19 as cases rise across the state.
In a letter to superintendents, officials are urging schools to “reinforce actions that can help alleviate the risks associated with this COVID-19 pandemic.”
The guidance is intended to keep school buildings open to allow students and staff to return to school after the break, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said.
Particularly, MDHHS and Michigan Department of Education officials are concerned about the highly transmissible omicron variant and say “implementing prevention measures will protect students, teachers and staff, and will help maintain in-person learning.”
MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel says “our priority has remained keeping students safe.”
State health officials on Wednesday announced Michigan set a new record for daily positive cases of the virus, with just under 26,000 cases in two days.
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Officials are encouraging all who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose, and where possible, asking schools to host vaccine clinics for students, families, teachers and staff.
Officials say “the most effective way to prevent transmission within school buildings and reduce prolonged disruptions to in-person learning is to layer multiple prevention strategies as recommended by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
Those prevention strategies include vaccination, universal indoor masking, frequent handwashing, social distancing and frequent testing.
"All prevention strategies provide some level of protection, and layered strategies implemented at the same time provide the greatest level of protection," MDHHS said.
MDHHS and MDE officials are encouraging all schools to review their planned activities for events and gatherings.
MDHHS says schools should modify planned activities during and after school “where the ability to maintain social distancing between people who live in different households cannot be maintained.”
They’re recommending large gatherings – involving 100 people or more – should be held remotely or postponed if not essential. This includes the likes of sporting events, concerts, conferences and meetings.
It was not immediately clear whether there will be any mandates on attendance or masking at sporting events. Last year many sporting events were limited to only parents and family members, while athletes were required to wear masks.