Gov. Cooper, DHHS Press NC School Districts To Mandate Masks

NORTH CAROLINA — Top North Carolina officials are turning up the pressure on school districts in the state that have not yet mandated mask use in K-12 schools.

Mandating universal mask use inside school buildings is vital for keeping schools open as infections increase in children throughout the state, Gov. Roy Cooper, along with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson said in an Aug. 12 letter sent to school district holdouts.

"Keeping children and staff in the classroom full-time for in-person learning is essential and following these health guidelines is the best way to ensure it. None of us wants to close schools to in-person learning," the letter said. "Because children under 12 cannot yet get a vaccine and the percent of children 12-18 years old who are vaccinated is low, all students, teachers and staff in grades K-12 should wear masks in schools regardless of vaccination status."

The increased pressure on school districts comes as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state doubled in the span of two week, and as the number of new cases spiked by 50 percent in the span of a week.

As of Friday, Aug. 13, North Carolina reported more than 6,6000 new cases. At least one out of every four of the 2,483 patients hospitalized in the state for COVID illness were in an intensive care unit, leaving about 13 percent of the state's staffed ICU beds available, according to DHHS data.

Increases in hospitalizations include children, too, the state officials told the school districts.

"While it is still unclear if the Delta variant causes more severe illness in children than prior variants, we are seeing increasing hospitalizations for pediatric patients," the letter said.

In the Charlotte metro region, some schools that began the year with a mask-optional policy are already experiencing disruptions.

In Mooresville Graded School District, for example, the first day back to school on Aug. 2 made it one of the first school districts in the Charlotte metro region to resume classes for a new academic year. Four days into the new year and after dozens were quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure, the school district instituted a mask mandate. By Friday, Aug. 13, the school district reported 396 students in quarantine and at least 34 confirmed positive cases.

"As you know, several school districts which had decided to make face coverings optional wisely have reversed course," the governor's letter said, adding, "Please join them and others by adopting strong health protocols."

SEE ALSO:

• Schools Should Urge Teachers, Students To Get Vaccinated: Cooper
• COVID Outbreak Includes 50 Atrium Health Employees: Report