Loudoun Schools To Launch COVID-19 Data Page For New School Year

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Loudoun County Public Schools plans to release its COVID-19 data webpage for the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday. The page will contain updates on coronavirus cases at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

So far for the new school year, cases have been reported at elementary, middle and high schools in the county, the school system said Monday. But LCPS said it has yet to identify any in-school transmissions. The first day of school was last Thursday.

The Virginia Department of Health uses proximity of within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours to determine the need for quarantining those who have had close contact exposure to someone who has COVID-19.

In K-12 settings, though, a student who is more than 3 feet from an infected student is not considered a “close contact” as long as both students wore well-fitting masks during the interaction.

SEE ALSO: Masks Required To Start School Year In Loudoun County

However, a student who is within six feet of an infected adult for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period is considered a close contact and will need to quarantine. Students will receive virtual instruction during the quarantine period, LCPS said.

When an LCPS employee or student tests positive for COVID-19, the Loudoun County Health Department or LCPS, or both, conduct contact tracing. Either LCPS staff or LCHD staff communicates with all close contacts of people who have tested positive.

The LCHD reports that community transmission of COVID-19 continues to occur across Loudoun County, the school system noted.