COLLINSVILLE, IL (KMOX) - Even with high COVID-19 positivity rates in Madison County, one school district in the Metro East says it will return to in-person learning after Labor Day weekend.
The Superintendent of Collinsville Schools announced to families today the district will start hybrid learning on Tuesday, September 8. Students will attend two days a week and learn remotely the other three.
Brad Skertich says the district consulted with County health officials before making the decision. "Childhood cases in Madison County have been minimal and there have been no outbreaks in area districts that have been attributed to in-person learning by school age children."
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Classes have been all virtual since the start of the school year. Says Skertich, "face to face instruction may be more challenging during the upcoming cold and flu season. We want to capitalize on the positive impact face to face instruction provides academically and socially while given the opportunity."
The Metro East area of Illinois had a seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate of 9.6%, according to numbers released by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday. Two weeks ago, the positivity rate was 9.2%.
The reported 1,492 new confirmed cases in the state, with 39 additional confirmed deaths, is the highest number of single-day deaths related to COVID-19 since June 26.
Health Department enacted new rules on Wednesday that bars in the area east of St. Louis can no longer offer indoor service, no indoor dining or bar service can be offered by restaurants, and meetings, social events and other gatherings are limited to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity.
Officials say the health department has been working with local officials to address activities and behaviors contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
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