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COVID Transmission Rate Update

Good Morning,

I hope you all had a terrific weekend!

As I shared with you on 4/10, the New York State Department of Health released an Interim Guidance for In Person Instruction During the COVID-19 Public Health Pandemic. In such guidance, the NYSDOH indicated the following:
  • Schools/districts may choose to reduce physical distancing to no less than three feet between students during academic instruction, however, schools/districts must follow CDC recommendations for physical distancing depending upon community transmission rates and grade levels. 
  • 5/3 Update from OCDOH: As of this morning, Ontario County remains at a HIGH community transmission rate. In fact, the seven day transmission rate increased by nearly 20 plus cases between last week and this.  Given this reverse and negative trend in transmission rate data, it is anticipated by OCDOH that it will take weeks for this rate to drop to the substantial, moderate, or low level necessary for school districts to elect reduced social distancing at the secondary level.
  • Impact on HCS: We will continue to collaborate weekly with the Ontario County Department of Health and to monitor transmission rates. At this juncture it is seemingly unlikely that school districts in our county will have the opportunity to shift to models of 100% in person instruction at the secondary level prior to June due to the following:
    • Transmission rates climbing again to over 140+, 5/3/2021
      • Current average daily transmission rate hovers around 20
    • Necessity of multiple weeks (minimum of two) of "substantial" transmission rate designation (under 100) prior to any shift in reopening model
Thank you for your collaboration and partnership with the district to best support our students. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about the information included in this communication, or otherwise.

Warmest regards,
Bridget

Elizabeth Bridget Ashton
Superintendent, Honeoye Central School District
8528 Main Street
Honeoye, New York 14471
[email protected]
On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton