WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Health officials in Williamson County are calling on Leander ISD officials to close the district for 10 days in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, after more than 400 cases among students and staff were confirmed in just over a week.
According to the district's COVID-19 dashboard, 411 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported, including 149 cases this week and more than 200 last week.
The letter from the Williamson County and Cities Health District calls on the district to close for 10 days to control the "unsustainable" level of spread, referencing only one pediatric intensive care bed remaining open in the 11 county area serving Central Texas.
The WCCHD letter, signed by Dr. Amanda Norwood, urges the district to implement a universal masking policy that limits opt outs, as well as robust contact tracing, a required quarantine period for identified close contacts, and virtual learning options for those who cannot be vaccinated.
District officials said Tuesday that, for now, the district will remain open and efforts will focus on individual classrooms that have been impacted by clusters of positive cases. LISD says it is possible that entire classrooms at the elementary level may need to switch to virtual learning for some time.
"At this time, we do not believe a districtwide closure meets the needs of our students and families," a statement from district officials said. "While we have some pockets of concern, we also have several campuses with few positive cases."
Monday night, Leander ISD trustees voted to continue the district's optional mask requirement through at least September 9. District officials say about 10% of parents have opted their children out of the policy.