ALL NEWS

Utah County wants a new plan for COVID-19 in schools

Sep 14, 2021, 8:04 PM | Updated: Sep 15, 2021, 9:32 am

Amendment G child abuse bus school student school bus drivers COVID-19...

FILE - This Jan. 7, 2015 file photo shows public school buses parked (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

(AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

PROVO, Utah  –Utah County officials say they have a new plan for trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 in schools and elsewhere in the community.

A draft of the letter outlining the plan was sent to KSL NewsRadio.

Letter [Photo Credit: Lindsay Aerts, KSL NewsRadio, Twitter]

“…We as community leaders, public servants, and health professionals desire to implement a disease plan that will support individual efforts to mitigate the most disastrous effects of COVID-19 infection,” the letter reads. “We continue to commend efforts that individuals voluntarily take to help protect those most vulnerable to this virus.”

The letter details what has been done, and what has been encouraged, regarding COVID-19 protections in Utah County schools and Utah County government buildings. It highlights practices including increased airflow, sanitation, quarantining guidelines, and recommending masks indoors. 

Then, it further outlines recommended action for schools.

If a school in Utah County reaches a 1% positive rate, we encourage them to take additional steps to
slow the spread of the virus by taking mitigation steps such as:
• Canceling or rescheduling nonessential indoor activities until positive rates reduce.
• Moving as many activities outdoors as possible.
• Increasing sanitation and encouraging everyone to wear a mask.
• Sending a letter home to parents or caretakers informing them that the positive rate in that
school has increased and educating them on ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in their
homes and communities.
At a 2% positive rate in a school, the state requirement of “Test to Stay” would go into effect.

Letter [Photo Credit: Lindsay Aerts, KSL NewsRadio, Twitter]

County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardiner said this plan is based on discussions with the Utah County Health Department, all three school districts in Utah County, and all three county commissioners. 

“We recognize that antibodies received through infection lead to natural immunity. Vaccination and natural immunity both offer significant protection against COVID-19,” the letter reads in bold letters.

Scientists continue to study the immune response among people who recover from COVID, including whether those people should receive the vaccine. 

Powers Gardiner told KSL NewsRadio that the discussions with county health officials also led to other findings.

“We found the people that previously had a COVID-19 infection, they are not getting delta variant,” she said. “If they do it’s a very, very mild case. We haven’t seen anybody in hospitals here in Utah County that had a previous positive Covid test that came in with Delta variant.”

KSL could not independently verify that claim, though researchers point out the delta variant is much more contagious than past strains, and they do not know for sure how long natural immunity lasts after a previous infection.

She also claimed through contact tracing, they found kids in Utah County schools aren’t getting COVID-19 from other kids in schools. 

“The kids that are testing positive for Covid in our schools, at least here in Utah County, they didn’t get it [Covid] at school,” she said. “What we’re finding is that the kids that are testing positive at school are getting it at home and out in the community.”

Similarly, KSL could not independently corroborate that assertion. Currently, school-age children account for between 20 and 25% of the daily case increases in Utah, but the totals do not specify where children got sick.

Powers Gardiner said Utah County’s Health Department Director, Eric Edwards went to commissioners concerned about the spread in schools.

“The health department director didn’t come to us and say, ‘I want a mask mandate,’ right,” Powers said. “He came to us and said, ‘I’m concerned about the numbers trending in schools, let’s explore options.’”  

A health department spokeswoman declined to comment on this plan. However, they did update how many cases have been detected in Utah County’s schools. 

“Our epi team this afternoon … reported 26 current outbreaks within classrooms at different elementary schools in Utah County. An outbreak is defined as 3 positive cases in a 14-day period,” said spokeswoman Danielle Chapman. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the br...

Nick Perry

Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight

The highly specialized role — in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain — is coming under the spotlight this week.

3 hours ago

Shopping carts are parked outside a Home Depot in Philadelphia...

MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer

Home Depot buying supplier to professional contractors in a deal valued at about $18.25 billion

Home Depot will buy SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion.

4 hours ago

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

5 hours ago

"Burn Book," by longtime Silicon Valley reporter Kara Swisher is seen, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Sa...

Jeff Caplan

Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Telling tales about tech bros

Kara Swisher’s new book paints an ugly picture of Silicon Valley.

7 hours ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

7 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah County wants a new plan for COVID-19 in schools