USD 271 District report dated Friday, September 25th

The weekly new COVID-19 cases in Rooks County have doubled in just one short week, from an average of 9 new cases per week to 18 new cases in the past seven days. Last week at this time we had 11 active cases in our county, this week we have 22. The two-week percent positive test rate rose from 7.5% last week to 11.2% this week. The unpredictability of this virus is frustrating and concerning. Fortunately, our absenteeism rate in the schools remains stable and relatively few students and teachers have been impacted by illness or quarantine.

Given these concerning trends, the Rooks County school districts and medical health officials are monitoring the situation more closely this week and will meet again on Monday afternoon to review the information from the weekend and new numbers published on Monday at lunch. We plan to start the week by continuing in-person learning on Monday, September 28, but we recognize that we may need to change the learning environment midweek if these worrisome trends persist or worsen.