Though indoor gatherings rather than in-person instruction are largely blamed for the third — and so far worst — COVID-19 wave, many education officials are shutting down schools for in-person instruction as a precaution.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed guidelines released by state governors and health and education departments as well as news articles to create a current list of school restrictions and re-closures in every state.
Daily temperature checks at the door, mask wearing, and staying socially distant were already the new normal. Sudden closures after students or staff tested positive for COVID-19 have become part of the routine, too.
However, over the past two months, school closures have lasted more than a few days, with some moving to full-time online instruction at least until the end of the fall semester. With the coronavirus pandemic still intensifying in the U.S., switching to remote learning until further notice is increasingly an option. Teachers in some states are recommending that schools close for in person instruction and remain that way until the rest of the academic year.
The parameters for shutting down schools for in-person instruction are not uniform and are up to each school to determine. At the beginning of the school year, some schools decided to go fully remote only after one confirmed COVID-19 case. Later, school districts didn’t shut down a school until dozens of COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the school. Now, some schools move to full-time remote learning just as a precaution due to a rise in infections in the community.
The pandemic continues to spread across the country even as the COVID-19 vaccinations began nationwide — and both the pandemic progression and vaccine are dominating the news. Information on social media sites and other media platforms has also been spreading, but much of it is inaccurate — these are 20 major myths about COVID-19.
Click here to see how each state is managing schools during the pandemic
Alabama
> Re-closing schools: Several schools have moved classes either fully remote or hybrid until the holiday break as a precaution as COVID-19 infection rates increase
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for nurses and school visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,349 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 310,335)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.1% — 23rd smallest increase (from 280,187 to 305,640)
> Population: 4.9 million
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Alaska
> Re-closing schools: At least 1 school district in Fairbanks went fully remote on Nov. 16. Anchorage School District delayed plans for in-person instruction, which was supposed to start in November, until further notice.
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged whenever possible
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature and symptom screening for all
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,760 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 42,473)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.7% — 24th largest increase (from 38,707 to 42,473)
> Population: 737,000
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Arizona
> Re-closing schools: Mesa Public Schools, the largest public school district in Arizona, will move to remote learning for the beginning of the next semester. Sunnyside District, the second largest in Southern Arizona, returned to remote-only. School districts in the Phoenix-area moved to online learning for various periods of time due to an increase of COVID-19 cases in Maricopa County.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,066 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 435,036)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 12.2% — 13th largest increase (from 382,601 to 429,219)
> Population: 7.2 million
Arkansas
> Re-closing schools: At least 21 schools have changed learning plans in November and moved to remote learning. At least one school in the Earle School District closed indefinitely, classes were moved online. More schools are going remote for a few days due to COVID-19 concerns.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for children 10+ on buses, drivers, required for adults and students 10+ in school buildings
> Health screening precautions: Have screening stations, screening signs
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,354 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 191,504)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.9% — 22nd largest increase (from 174,325 to 191,504)
> Population: 3.0 million
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California
> Re-closing schools: Many schools are still in zones where transmission is widespread and are not allowed to open for in-person instruction. Schools are required to close when at least 5% of staff and students test positive for Covid-19 within a 14-day period. Also, if 25% of schools in a district are closed due to COVID-19 cases, the school district, too, must close.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and Grade 3 and up
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks, hand-washing required before entering school
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,357 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 1,723,362)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 17.6% — 4th largest increase (from 1,420,558 to 1,671,081)
> Population: 39.6 million
Colorado
> Re-closing schools: Gov. Jared Polis has said he would consider closing all schools closed again if that’s needed to get coronavirus cases under control. Many of the biggest school districts in Colorado are conducting remote instruction.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for students 11+, required for staff and if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,210 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 296,716)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.2% — 24th smallest increase (from 268,589 to 293,382)
> Population: 5.7 million
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Connecticut
> Re-closing schools: Avon Public Schools closed from Dec 3 until Dec 14 after several COVID-19 cases were tied to a one gathering. All Bristol schools transitioned to full distance learning. At least 7 school districts switched to fully remote until mid-January.
> Mask or face covering rules: Masks required for all when inside school
> Health screening precautions: Maximize social distancing, students bring their own water
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,416 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 157,781)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 12.3% — 12th largest increase (from 140,548 to 157,781)
> Population: 3.6 million
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Delaware
> Re-closing schools: Gov. John Carney recommended that schools pause in-person learning from Dec. 14 to Jan. 8, with plans to return to hybrid learning on Jan. 11. Several schools moved to all virtual learning already. Sports competitions have been canceled.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and grades 4-12, recommended for Pre-K – 3 grade
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks at home, the state will provide testing for staff and students
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,042 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 48,768)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 13.1% — 9th largest increase (from 42,393 to 47,929)
> Population: 967,000
Florida
> Re-closing schools: Some Florida schools went fully remote for 2 weeks following Thanksgiving, and will go again for 2 weeks following the Christmas and New Year break. A new executive order has been issued extending remote and hybrid learning options.
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Set up secondary clinic for kids showing symptoms
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,486 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 1,168,483)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 6.6% — 10th smallest increase (from 1,083,362 to 1,155,335)
> Population: 21.3 million
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Georgia
> Re-closing schools: Scattered school closures have happened all over the state. Windsor Forest High School in Chatham County is among the latest to shut down due to the rising number of COVID-19 infections until Jan. 11, 2021. Ware County Schools are closing for the early for the holidays due to a rise in COVID-19 cases among staff.
> Mask or face covering rules: Personal choice
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,698 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 494,173)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 7.1% — 12th smallest increase (from 456,113 to 488,338)
> Population: 10.5 million
Hawaii
> Re-closing schools: Some schools are extending the first phase of reopening for in-person instruction, which consists of half-day classes for vulnerable students.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 1,379 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 19,590)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 2.8% — the smallest increase (from 19,056 to 19,590)
> Population: 1.4 million
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Idaho
> Re-closing schools: Valley County is the third to be moved to a “red” category, indicating that transmission is very high; all schools in Boise School District went fully remote after Thanksgiving break. The Emmett School District now requires all students and staff to wear masks.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required by some districts
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks for all
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,151 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 125,452)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.0% — 15th smallest increase (from 116,203 to 125,452)
> Population: 1.8 million
Illinois
> Re-closing schools: Chicago Public Schools will return to in-person learning beginning in January, but high school students will continue remote. Catholic schools now have the option to transition to remote learning if they choose
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings and temperature checks for all
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,902 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 879,428)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 7.2% — 13th smallest increase (from 812,430 to 870,600)
> Population: 12.7 million
Indiana
> Re-closing schools: All schools in Marion County are going fully remote at least until mid-January. At least 17 school districts — or about half of school districts in Indiana — have moved to full-time virtual learning for various periods of time.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for school staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,683 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 447,190)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 10.7% — 16th largest increase (from 398,417 to 440,850)
> Population: 6.7 million
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Iowa
> Re-closing schools: 40 counties have a 14-day rolling average positivity rate at or above 15%, which is the threshold that must be met before school districts can request to go to online-only learning. The governor is pushing for a requirement that all districts offer an option for 100% in-person instruction.
> Mask or face covering rules: Not recommended but allowed
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 8,308 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 262,210)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 4.6% — 3rd smallest increase (from 248,782 to 260,227)
> Population: 3.2 million
Kansas
> Re-closing schools: Schools in small and big towns have moved classes online full-time. Johnson County schools are all in the Red Zone, meaning transmission is very high. The Raytown School District returned to virtual learning for all grades until Dec. 22. Wichita school district may soon close schools due to a shortage of teachers, too many need to quarantine.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff, visitors, and most students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,683 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 194,569)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.2% — 17th smallest increase (from 179,803 to 194,569)
> Population: 2.9 million
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Kentucky
> Re-closing schools: All Kentucky public and private K-12 schools were moved to online instruction. Middle schools and high schools will remain in remote learning until Jan. 4, 2021. Schools in Perry County were closed for in-person and virtual learning, adding makeup days at the end of the academic year.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended or required, depending on local virus transmission level
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,163 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 230,693)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 10.3% — 18th largest increase (from 209,136 to 230,693)
> Population: 4.5 million
Louisiana
> Re-closing schools: Several schools in the Baton Rouge area are closing again before the Christmas break due to a rise in COVID-19 infections. Some will remain fully remote until the end of the fall semester. High school students across the state are required to go in-person testing.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required, students who can’t wear them will be in static groups
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,994 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 279,321)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 6.4% — 8th smallest increase (from 258,914 to 275,545)
> Population: 4.7 million
Maine
> Re-closing schools: All schools in Westbrook were closed until Dec. 3, at least 2 Oxford Hills schools moved classes online for 2 weeks. Some schools are forced to move fully remote due to staffing shortages created by the increasing number of staff having to quarantine. South Portland High School moved to full distance learning until Dec. 22.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults, required for students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily self-checks for students and staff
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 1,337 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 17,901)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 19.8% — 2nd largest increase (from 14,454 to 17,311)
> Population: 1.3 million
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Maryland
> Re-closing schools: Many schools districts are canceling plans to move to in-person instruction any time soon.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,038 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 243,984)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.6% — 18th smallest increase (from 222,653 to 241,767)
> Population: 6.0 million
Massachusetts
> Re-closing schools: Public schools in Boston moved classes online, in-person instruction will resume when there are 2 full weeks of falling infection rates. The state started a free rapid COVID-19 testing program at 134 schools.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for grade 2 and up, encouraged for the rest
> Health screening precautions: Temperature checks are not recommended
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,406 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 304,112)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 12.9% — 10th largest increase (from 269,412 to 304,112)
> Population: 6.9 million
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Michigan
> Re-closing schools: Michigan shut all high schools and colleges until Dec. 8. High school sports and group fitness classes will also be cancelled. Many schools in the most populous counties will stay closed until after the winter break.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for some
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks recommended
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,876 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 487,356)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 7.7% — 14th smallest increase (from 448,418 to 482,815)
> Population: 10.0 million
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Minnesota
> Re-closing schools: At least 17 of the state’s 20 largest school districts are in distance learning for middle and high school students. Minnesota elementary schools can reopen Jan. 18.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students, staff, and others in schools, offices, and transportation
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,936 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 389,171)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.0% — 22nd smallest increase (from 354,590 to 386,412)
> Population: 5.6 million
Mississippi
> Re-closing schools: Natchez-Adams School District shut down all schools until after the Thanksgiving break due to a COVID-19 outbreak, sports are on hold as well
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,292 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 187,904)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.8% — 20th smallest increase (from 170,672 to 185,643)
> Population: 3.0 million
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Missouri
> Re-closing schools: At least 4 schools in Jefferson County shut down temporarily after the county moved into a “red zone”; new mandates say that if people were wearing mask correctly and show no symptoms, they don’t have to quarantine for 14 days if exposed
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening.
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,821 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 356,607)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 6.7% — 11th smallest increase (from 330,846 to 353,038)
> Population: 6.1 million
Montana
> Re-closing schools: At least 2 more schools in Billings moved classes online temporarily in November. Montana City schools moved classes online until Nov. 30. Montana Tech suspended its basketball program after players tested positive.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Visitor temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,106 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 75,483)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 6.4% — 9th smallest increase (from 70,133 to 74,644)
> Population: 1.1 million
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Nebraska
> Re-closing schools: Teachers union Nebraska State Education Association called on Gov. Ricketts to enact more restrictions amid a new surge of cases. The Millard school district closed schools for a week.
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Visitors wash hands before entering the school, symptom self-screen
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,884 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 152,103)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 5.8% — 5th smallest increase (from 142,603 to 150,861)
> Population: 1.9 million
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Nevada
> Re-closing schools: Secondary students in schools in Washoe County School District moved to full distance learning until Jan. 4. Schools will begin testing symptomatic students and staff with an antigen test. Some districts have been allowed to bypass regulations to hire substitute teachers.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended, post signs about proper hand-washing and other ways to stop the virus
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,472 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 196,379)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 10.1% — 19th largest increase (from 176,334 to 194,098)
> Population: 3.0 million
New Hampshire
> Re-closing schools: One high school suspended sports indefinitely after several students tested positive. Interstate hockey competitions have been suspended until the end of 2020 for all public and private schools as well as youth leagues.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings for staff, students
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 2,465 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 33,433)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 21.2% — the largest increase (from 27,592 to 33,433)
> Population: 1.4 million
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New Jersey
> Re-closing schools: Schools in Paterson extended online learning until Jan. 19, 2021. Clifton’s school district shut down all schools and moved classes online until January 2021. 18 new in-school outbreaks were reported in the week leading up to Dec. 10.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for school staff and visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and history of exposure
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,707 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 419,330)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.8% — 21st smallest increase (from 381,486 to 415,075)
> Population: 8.9 million
New Mexico
> Re-closing schools: The Public Education Department paused the reopening of schools for in-person instruction, no districts are allowed to start a hybrid model during the new, tighter restrictions. Rio Rancho Public Schools are moving to full-time online instruction until Jan. 18, 2021.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,935 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 124,357)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 11.8% — 14th largest increase (from 111,202 to 124,357)
> Population: 2.1 million
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New York
> Re-closing schools: NYC schools were closed until Dec. 7. After that, only elementary schools opened for students whose parents agree to a weekly testing regimen for the coronavirus.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,173 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 815,469)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.8% — 23rd largest increase (from 733,064 to 804,555)
> Population: 19.5 million
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North Carolina
> Re-closing schools: Some Cumberland County Schools schools will reopen in January 2021. The Johnston County school board voted 5-2 to suspend in-person classes.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teachers and students K-12
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,408 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 457,660)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 10.1% — 20th largest increase (from 410,527 to 451,874)
> Population: 10.4 million
North Dakota
> Re-closing schools: The state started free rapid testing for K-12 teachers, staff and administrators. Fargo and West Fargo school districts were first. High school winter sports and extracurricular activities were suspended statewide until Dec. 14.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended, especially if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Testing for COVID-19 based on risk level
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 11,718 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 89,063)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 6.4% — 7th smallest increase (from 83,342 to 88,686)
> Population: 760,000
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Ohio
> Re-closing schools: At least 7 school districts in Northeast Ohio went fully remote in November due a spike in positive cases in the district.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,100 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 596,178)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 12.4% — 11th largest increase (from 520,112 to 584,766)
> Population: 11.7 million
Oklahoma
> Re-closing schools: At least 17 schools districts in the state are moving to online learning due to a rise in coronavirus cases. More than half of all Oklahoma schools districts have reported COVID-19 cases.
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks at home recommended
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,295 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 248,204)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 10.0% — 21st largest increase (from 222,993 to 245,229)
> Population: 3.9 million
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Oregon
> Re-closing schools: Schools can reopen for grades 4-12 if counties have 10 or fewer positive cases per 100,000 residents, and up to 30 cases per 100,000 for other students.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 2,329 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 97,622)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 10.3% — 17th largest increase (from 87,082 to 96,092)
> Population: 4.2 million
Pennsylvania
> Re-closing schools: All Montgomery County public and private K-12 schools moved to full-time remote learning until Dec. 6. Public school teachers must follow face-covering mandates. Schools must close if they reach a certain number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 4,133 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 529,335)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 16.6% — 5th largest increase (from 445,317 to 519,369)
> Population: 12.8 million
Rhode Island
> Re-closing schools: All public school districts can reopen for in-person instruction after the winter holiday break — January 7 — at the earliest.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,310 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 77,290)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 11.6% — 15th largest increase (from 68,299 to 76,209)
> Population: 1.1 million
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South Carolina
> Re-closing schools: Orangeburg County schools going online through the winter break. Greenwood School District 52 returned to the hybrid schedule due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Public schools across started testing for COVID-19 for free in an attempt to help keep classrooms open.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff who ride the state’s pupil transportation system
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,169 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 262,774)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.6% — 19th smallest increase (from 239,444 to 260,119)
> Population: 5.1 million
South Dakota
> Re-closing schools: South Dakota’s positivity rate is around 40%, while the recommended maximum is 5%, suggesting testing is still very limited.
> Mask or face covering rules: Strongly recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 9,554 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 84,290)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 3.7% — 2nd smallest increase (from 81,280 to 84,290)
> Population: 882,000
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Tennessee
> Re-closing schools: Schools in the state’s largest school districts — Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Knox County Schools and Hamilton County Schools — are finishing the fall semester with fully remote instruction.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all staff, students in middle and high school
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,286 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 493,230)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 14.5% — 6th largest increase (from 422,962 to 484,285)
> Population: 6.8 million
Texas
> Re-closing schools: At least 8 school districts in North Texas and 7 in Central Texas temporarily moved classes online due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Several schools in Fort Worth-area temporarily moved classes online due to a spike of COVID-19 cases
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and old enough students
> Health screening precautions: Symptom self-screening for staff
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 5,294 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 1,519,340)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 18.4% — 3rd largest increase (from 1,283,674 to 1,519,340)
> Population: 28.7 million
Utah
> Re-closing schools: At least 51 Utah schools, including all schools in Salt Lake City, switched to remote learning until early December. Teachers wil be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in late December.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Self-monitoring symptoms
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,615 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 240,715)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 8.2% — 16th smallest increase (from 222,545 to 240,715)
> Population: 3.2 million
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Vermont
> Re-closing schools: Asymptomatic teachers and staff members at all public schools in Vermont can take an on-site COVID-19 test.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening at home
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 982 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 6,149)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 13.7% — 8th largest increase (from 5,285 to 6,009)
> Population: 626,000
Virginia
> Re-closing schools: Chesterfield Schools returned to virtual learning at least until the end of 2020. Henrico County Schools delay in-person reopening. Fairfax County Public Schools in moving Group 3 students to full-time remote learning. Richmond Public Schools will decide on Monday whether to remain fully virtual next semester.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 3,476 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 296,093)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.4% — 25th smallest increase (from 267,128 to 292,240)
> Population: 8.5 million
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Washington
> Re-closing schools: Health officials in Thurston County recommend holding off on expanding in-person learning due to resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Issaquah High School closed until the end of the week after 2 staff members tested positive
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff, recommended for students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 2,721 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 205,069)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 9.5% — 25th largest increase (from 187,327 to 205,069)
> Population: 7.5 million
West Virginia
> Re-closing schools: At least 51 of the 55 counties are “red zones,” meaning transmission is high and schools and schools must move to remote learning.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students grades 3 and above
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 3,792 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 68,485)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 14.3% — 7th largest increase (from 58,462 to 66,849)
> Population: 1.8 million
Wisconsin
> Re-closing schools: Racine Public Health Department ordered schools in Racine, Wind Point, and Elmwood Park to close until Jan. 15.
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teacher when close to other people, required for students in high-traffic periods
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 7,714 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 448,441)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 5.4% — 4th smallest increase (from 422,065 to 444,798)
> Population: 5.8 million
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Wyoming
> Re-closing schools: All Wyoming Public Schools closed for in-person instruction until Nov. 30. Students don’t have to quarantine anymore if, when exposed, both the infected student and close contacts were wearing face coverings
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Up to each district
> COVID-19 cases as of Dec 17: 6,977 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 40,310)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Dec 9 – Dec 16: 6.4% — 6th smallest increase (from 37,885 to 40,310)
> Population: 578,000
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