Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Several news developments have occurred with local school and government offices regarding mask requirements in recent days, and one school is switching to virtual learning for one week because of a high number of cases.

Wayne County is now in the state’s orange, or second-worst, advisory level for its number of COVID-19 cases and testing positivity rate.

Read more in-depth information about many of these decisions in the Aug. 25 edition of Western Wayne News.

SCHOOLS

Hagerstown 

Announced Monday afternoon (Aug. 23): Hagerstown Elementary School will have all adults and students wear masks beginning Tuesday, Aug. 24. Masks will be required for two weeks, when numbers will be re-evaluated.

Richmond Community Schools

Announced Monday afternoon (Aug. 23): Because of COVID-19 positivity rates, Dennis Middle School will be moving to eLearning starting Tuesday, Aug. 24. Extracurricular activities also will be canceled through Aug. 31. Students will return to in-person learning on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

All other RCS schools will remain open.
RCS officials say they will continue to monitor positivity rates daily, and follow CDC and Department of Health guidelines.
RCS has moved its Aug. 25 board meeting from its administration building to Civic Hall Performing Arts Center at 380 Hub Etchison Parkway to accommodate what could be a larger group of residents than usual.  The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
RCS began the school year requiring masks for all students, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status.

Northeastern Wayne

Announced Friday (Aug. 20): Northeastern Wayne Schools is requiring masks as of Monday, Aug. 23.

Superintendent Matthew Hicks said the district is implementing a mask mandate after consulting with the Wayne County Health Department because of an increase in the number of COVID positive cases and an even higher increase of students being sent home as a close contact of a COVID positive case.

Centerville-Abington

Centerville-Abington announced a mask mandate beginning Aug. 17.  Click to read our story from Aug. 16.

With 200-plus students in quarantine, Centerville-Abington schools adds mask mandate

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Wayne County

Announced Friday (Aug. 20): Wayne County Commissioners  voted unanimously Friday to require masks in all Wayne County government-owned buildings, including the buildings at the fairgrounds.

The policy went into effect Monday morning for both those who are vaccinated and those who are not vaccinated.

The commissioners initially postponed taking a vote during their regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 18, choosing to wait until hearing the opinion of the Wayne County Health Board, which met  Thursday, Aug. 19.

 

City of Richmond

Announced Monday (Aug. 23): As of Wednesday, Aug. 25, the City of Richmond will return to some previous COVID-19 precautions within all city buildings to protect the health of city employees and the public, according to a news release from Mayor Dave Snow’s office.
Employees must wear masks during work hours when working within 6 feet from one another, and when interacting with the public.
Masks will be required for all citizens who enter any city facilities.
City buildings will return to a capacity limit within common gathering areas and vehicles.
Roseview Transit riders will be required to wear a mask.
City boards and commissions can continue meeting in person as long as capacity measures are met and those attending are wearing masks.
The main entrance at city hall and some other city buildings will continue to require a brief health screening before entry.
The news release noted the need for all to wear masks properly.

 

HEALTH CARE

Henry Community Health
Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 24, Henry Community Health will begin limiting visitation in the Emergency Department.
COVID or suspected COVID patients – no visitors.
Non-COVID patients – 1 visitor.
Pediatrics (18 and younger)- 1-2 visitors at provider’s discretion.
For more info on HCH visitation, visit hchcares.org
Reid Health

Because of rising COVID cases, Reid Health put new visitor restrictions in place as of Monday, Aug. 23.

Under the revised policy, patients will be limited to one visitor per day. At physician offices and outpatient services including outpatient surgery, patients may bring one companion to an appointment.

Exceptions to this policy will be made in some settings, including end-of-life and hospice. Those situations will be managed by nursing leadership.

WCHD

Reminder: Wayne County Health Department has moved its testing site back to the former Elder-Beerman store, 601 E. Main St., Richmond, because of increased numbers of residents seeking tests.

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