Record COVID-19 infections seen in area school districts
LITTLE ROCK ― In a single week, the number of Arkansas public school districts with COVID-19 infection rates of 50 or more new known infections per 10,000 district residents over a 14-day period has seen a nearly five-fold increase, going from 28 last week to 138 this week, the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement said Wednesday, citing its analysis of Arkansas Department of Health data current as of Monday.
The number of districts at this high level of community spread is not a record ― 201 districts were at 50 or more new known infections per 10,000 residents in the week of Jan. 11, 2021, and again in the week of Aug. 23 ― but the week-to-week increase is the largest on record.
"Arkansas is experiencing uncontrolled spread of the omicron variant," said ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson. "Arkansans need to take immediate precautions, and local school leaders need to take actions to protect our children."
Thompson urged all school districts to require masks for students and staff, encourage vaccination, and redouble efforts at social distancing, hand washing, and increased ventilation. School leaders should also be prepared to transition to virtual learning, he said.
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