West Virginia Unveils Back-To-School Plan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia has unveiled its plan for students to return to school on Sept. 8.
All 55 counties are required to submit their re-entry plans to the West Virginia Department of Education by Friday, Aug. 14.
Each county will offer multiple options for instruction, including in-person instruction, virtual instruction or a hybrid model.
Parents and guardians will have the flexibility to select their preferred instruction model.
In-person instruction and hybrid models would place students in the classroom for a set number of days based on each county’s re-entry plan. 
Virtual instruction would serve as an option for parents or guardians who have concerns about sending their child back to school. 
All counties must have plans in place to minimize exposure and to implement best health practices like social distancing, face coverings, hand washing and disinfection protocols. 
They must also provide a plan to continue to feed children daily, regardless of the mode of instruction they choose and they must continue to provide support services for students who may require additional assistance.
On Friday, Gov. Jim Justice reported that COVID-19 cases in the state are starting to trend downward.
The state had 1,796 active cases Friday, down from 1,817 on Monday. The  state’s transmission rate for the virus had dropped to 0.92 percent. 
Known as the RT, it indicates how many people are being infected by coming into contact with a person who has the virus.
“That’s the eighth best rate in the nation. We are heading in the right direction,” Justice said.
Two weeks ago, West Virginia had the highest transmission rate in the nation.
But Dr. Clay Marsh, Justice’s appointed Coronavirus czar, said cases will likely climb again when schools reopen and other activities resume.
“We know that’s going to put additional stress on our state and our health department,” he said.
Marsh credits the current decline in cases on Justice’s order requiring persons to wear face coverings in public buildings.
In West Virginia, 125 people have died from COVID-19. Justice reported three new deaths on Friday, ranging in persons from 66 to 81 in age.
All 55 counties are required to submit their re-entry plans to the West Virginia Department of Education by Friday, Aug. 14.
Each county will offer multiple options for instruction, including in-person instruction, virtual instruction or a hybrid model.
Parents and guardians will have the flexibility to select their preferred instruction model.
In-person instruction and hybrid models would place students in the classroom for a set number of days based on each county’s re-entry plan. 
Virtual instruction would serve as an option for parents or guardians who have concerns about sending their child back to school. 
All counties must have plans in place to minimize exposure and to implement best health practices like social distancing, face coverings, hand washing and disinfection protocols. 
They must also provide a plan to continue to feed children daily, regardless of the mode of instruction they choose and they must continue to provide support services for students who may require additional assistance.
On Friday, Gov. Jim Justice reported that COVID-19 cases in the state are starting to trend downward.
The state had 1,796 active cases Friday, down from 1,817 on Monday. The  state’s transmission rate for the virus had dropped to 0.92 percent. 
Known as the RT, it indicates how many people are being infected by coming into contact with a person who has the virus.
“That’s the eighth best rate in the nation. We are heading in the right direction,” Justice said.
Two weeks ago, West Virginia had the highest transmission rate in the nation.
But Dr. Clay Marsh, Justice’s appointed Coronavirus czar, said cases will likely climb again when schools reopen and other activities resume.
“We know that’s going to put additional stress on our state and our health department,” he said.
Marsh credits the current decline in cases on Justice’s order requiring persons to wear face coverings in public buildings.
In West Virginia, 125 people have died from COVID-19. Justice reported three new deaths on Friday, ranging in persons from 66 to 81 in age.