3 Schools In Baltimore County Have COVID-19 Outbreaks: Officials

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in three public schools in Baltimore County, the Maryland Department of Health reported this week.

Every Wednesday, the state health department releases a list of K-12 schools with outbreaks of COVID-19. The data does not include child care facilities or higher education institutions.

To be reported in the list, a school must have a classroom/cohort outbreak or a school-wide outbreak, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

The Maryland Department of Health changed its definition of what constitutes an outbreak, effective Jan. 1. As a result, fewer schools are now included in the list.

A classroom/cohort outbreak is defined as at least three confirmed cases of COVID-19 within 14 days that are epidemiologically linked, and are not household contacts.

A schoolwide outbreak is defined as at least five classrooms or cohorts with cases from separate households in 14 days; or 5 percent of unrelated students, teachers or staff (at least 10 who are unrelated) having tested positive for COVID-19 within a two-week period.

These schools have outbreaks as of Jan. 12, according to the Maryland Department of Health:

• Eastern Technical High School: 12
• Lansdowne High School: 2
• Orems Elementary School: 2

See Also: New COVID-19 Protocols For 2022: Baltimore County Public Schools