NC Makes Decision Regarding School Mask Policy For Upcoming Year

NORTH CAROLINA — Younger students in North Carolina schools will need to continue wearing face masks indoors and in classrooms when the new academic year starts next month, according to new guidance issued Wednesday by North Carolina public health officials.

In an updated directive, all students and teachers in K-8 schools should be required to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. At the high school level, unvaccinated students and teachers should also be required to wear mask indoors. The guidance also continues to recommend 3-foot physical distancing of K-12 students who are not fully vaccinated, updates quarantine procedures during cases of potential exposure and requires face coverings for students riding on school buses. The new school guidance goes into effect July 30 at 5 p.m.

"Studies have shown that masks can slow the spread of this virus among those who are unvaccinated – that hasn’t changed," Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday during a new conference announcing the new guidance. "We know masks work. The health, safety and ability of our students to learn in person depends on school leaders following this guidance."

The new mask policy also takes into account a younger, vulnerable population.

"Many students can't get their shots because children under 12 can't be vaccinated yet," Cooper said.

The move to continue mask use in schools comes as only 24 percent of children ages 12 through 17 are vaccinated in North Carolina at a time when the state has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Delta variant.

The delta variant, which was first seen in India and was first detected in the United States in March, spreads 50 percent faster than the alpha variant that originated in Great Britain, which itself spreads 50 percent faster than the original coronavirus strain, according to Yale Medicine.

Vaccination rates throughout the state, however, continue to lag. As of July 21, about 60 percent of adults in the state had received at least one dose of vaccine, while 56 percent of adults were considered fully vaccinated. Among children eligible for vaccination, the rates are dramatically lower — more than 75 percent of those ages 12-17 eligible for vaccine in the state remained unvaccinated.

State health officials say the new school guidance underscores the importance of community vaccinations.

"We are seeing the impact of the very contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, and it's hitting those who are unvaccinated very hard," DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said. "Cases are up. Hospitalizations are up. The percent of tests that are positive are up, and we know that even people who have a mild case of COVID-19 may struggle with long term effects, like shortness of breath, chest pains and brain fog."

Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19 related illness in North Carolina, 94 percent are unvaccinated, she said.

Genomic sequencing indicates that about 80 percent of new cases in North Carolina are the Delta variant, Cohen said. "What we are saying is, more likely than not, if you are getting a case now it is likely the Delta variant," she said.

The updated Strong School NC Public Health Toolkit may be found here.