HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — One month ago, an average of four people a day were being diagnosed with COVID-19 in Allegan County.
As of Friday, Aug. 2021, Allegan County health officials reported an average of 19 people are testing positive daily. Allegan County’s positive rate is more than 9 percent.
Two percent is what medical professionals say is a manageable rate of infection.
In Ottawa County, where just under 15,000 people currently have COVID, with just over 61 people are being diagnosed daily.
On Friday, Ottawa and Kent counties’ officials issued mask guidelines for area schools, saying children in pre-K through sixth grade should use masks in schools, as should teachers and staff. They noted a few exceptions:
- People actively eating or drinking
- Those under 4 years old, though supervised masking is recommended for children who are at least two years old.
- People with developmental conditions of any age attending school for whom it has been demonstrated that the use of a face covering would inhibit the person’s access to education. These are limited to students with an Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan, Individualized Healthcare Plan or equivalent.
- Vaccinated teachers who are working with children who are hard of hearing or students with developmental conditions who benefit from facial cues.
- People with a medical reason confirmed in writing from a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) currently licensed to practice medicine in the State of Michigan.
Kent and Ottawa County health officials strongly recommended school administrators, teachers, parents closely follow full guidelines from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health departments.
The joint statement concluded with a note that health officials will continue to monitor the situation and “will respond accordingly to best protect their communities.”
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