Central Bucks Monitoring COVID-19 Cases As Schools Reopen

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Despite rising COVID-19 cases in Bucks County, Central Bucks school administrators will continue with hybrid and five-day in-person learning in 2021, citing low rates of transmission within schools.

The district has reported 91 positive COVID-19 cases among students, teaching staff and employees since Dec. 21, according to the district's COVID-19 case dashboard.

During the winter break, the district monitored and tracked reported cases of COVID-19 among students and employees, Superintendent John Kopicki said. The protocols help the district avoid closing schools, manage cases when they occur and maintain safe and healthy environments.

"Our administrators have conducted thorough case investigations and the Bucks County Health Department (BCHD) continues to prioritize contact tracing related to cases within schools," Kopicki said in a letter to parents. "These cases are reported to us directly, as well as through regular communications from the BCHD."

While Montgomery County has taken a more cautious approach to in-person learning — at times opting to close schools entirely — Bucks County's largest school district has operated on a hybrid schedule at the secondary level and on a full-time in-person schedule at the elementary level since Nov. 17, with the exception of students who are enrolled in virtual-only learning.

New coronavirus infections are on the rise in Bucks County, with 2,429 new COVID-19 infections reported from Dec. 27 through Jan. 2, a 5 percent increase over the previous week. The report comes as restrictions on indoor dining, health clubs, casinos and other indoor entertainment venues were lifted Monday.

The latest case counts at Central Bucks can be found on the district's COVID-19 case dashboard.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that secondary students can participate in full-time in-person learning. There are currently only the hybrid and virtual options at the secondary level. We apologize and regret the error.

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