The Hamilton County Health Department continues to coordinate with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), municipalities and school districts within Hamilton County to prepare for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Currently there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton County, however, officials continue to take steps to prepare. The county is working closely with municipalities and school districts to ensure plans are in places to mitigate and respond to COVID-19. These plans include several actions and potential actions including educational materials for students and parents, and enhanced opportunities to wash hands during the school day.
Closing schools for an extended period of time is a tool school districts and communities have as an option to limit the spread of COVID-19. At this time, the Health Department is not providing guidance for any Hamilton County School Districts or individual schools to close. Should a COVID-19 case develop which has implications for a school district, the Health Department will work with the schools, municipality, ISDH and the Indiana Department of Education to make the best decision possible for the community, district and affected families.
There are several factors which must be considered when discussing school closures due to COVID-19. Some of these considerations include meals provided by schools for children in need and childcare concerns for parents who work during school hours.
The Health Department has started communicating to school districts recommendations to limit school activities and limit student contacts to classroom environments.
Materials conveyed to school districts and referenced in decision making include:
- World Health Organization’s Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools
- CDC’s Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Communities
- ISDH’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus website
- Indiana Department of Education’s COVID-19 Resources for Indiana schools