Granite School District to publish COVID-19 case counts for all schools

Sep 4, 2020, 9:46 AM | Updated: 10:26 am

(Cyprus High School)...

(Cyprus High School)

(Cyprus High School)

SALT LAKE CITY — The Granite School District will begin to publish the current positive COVID-19 case counts for each of its 86 schools.

In a statement Monday, the district said it will be providing the information in order to give parents the information they need to make decisions for their families.

“We believe this extra layer transparency is critical in helping our parents make appropriate decisions for their kids,” said Granite Board of Education president Karyn Winder.
 
Earlier this week, the Granite School District’s Board of Education met to discuss whether the information should be published.
 
At that meeting President Karyn Winder expressed her support of the move saying, “It can incite panic, I recognize that. But…how you really calm rumors is with accurate information. So, if people are thinking there are 10 cases at a school, and it’s zero or one, that’s a huge difference.”
 
Case numbers will be updated on a weekly basis after they are confirmed by the Salt Lake County Health Department. The district will provide the total number of students and staff who tested positive, but will not release specifics like class, grade level, or staff position in order to protect personal health information. 
 
The district also clarified that any students or staff members directly exposed to a student or staff member who test positive will be contacted directly regarding health department quarantine guidance.
 
The information about Granite School’s COVID-19 response, as well as the district’s new dashboard, will appear on a COVID-19 information page.
 
As of Monday, there were 46 positive COVID-19 cases in the Granite School District. Nine of those cases are teachers.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronaviruses transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Don’t touch your face.
  • Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
  • If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
  • Get a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A

Utah’s Coronavirus Information

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

 

We want to hear from you.

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

Richard Glauser (left) holds up one of many documents he provided to the state in an effort to get ...

Daniella Rivera, KSL

Utah changes birth certificate policy after KSL Investigators uncover records issue

Utah updated its birth certificate policy after KSL Investigators exposed record issues. Now, the new policy allows use of original birth certificates for amendments.

14 hours ago

The exterior of The Source on South Temple in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday. The building ...

Carter Williams, KSL

Developer earns tax credits after preserving 64-year-old building in new housing project

A new mixed-use housing development east of downtown Salt Lake City has now received tax credits for preserving a historic building within its design.

17 hours ago

Jonathan Stewart demonstrates AI program for teachers in the Canyons District. He used AI to turn h...

Deanie Wimmer, KSL

Utah teachers embrace artificial intelligence as new classroom rules take effect

Utah teachers are embracing AI in classrooms as new state guidelines take effect.

20 hours ago

A rendering of the proposed "LDS Hospital replacement site" in Salt Lake City. Intermountain Health...

Carter Williams, KSL

New documents reveal more about Intermountain’s LDS Hospital ‘replacement’ plans

Intermountain Health revealed more details about its planned hospital near Salt Lake City's downtown core, nearly two years after securing a landmark rezone at the site of the city's old Sears location.

23 hours ago

A boy rides an e-bike in Santa Monica, Calif., Monday. (Jae C. Hong, Associated Press)...

Philip Marcelo, Associated Press

Kids keep getting hurt and killed on e-bikes. Should parents be held responsible?

A California prosecutor is cracking down on rising e-bike injuries among kids and deaths by pursuing criminal charges against certain parents.

2 days ago

A horse skeleton inside a laboratory classroom at USU's new Veterinary Sciences building. (Mike And...

Mike Anderson, KSL

New building helps complete Utah’s first full veterinary medicine program at USU

A new building at Utah State will bring the final touches to the school's veterinary science program, and the first full program for the degree in the state.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this spo...

Bear Lake

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway.

How Harper Clinic's IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah....

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

As demand for mental health care continues to rise across Utah County, Orem's Harper Clinic says it is trying to close the gap with a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment.

The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, manag...

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic's TMS Therapy can help.

mental health...

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

...

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

Granite School District to publish COVID-19 case counts for all schools