Ohio Governor Requiring Schools To Develop COVID-19 Reporting System

Gov. DeWine says prompt reporting will help further prevent spread among students and teachers.

(Columbus, Oh.) – Governor Mike DeWine says Ohio schools must develop a COVID-19 reporting system.

During a media briefing on Thursday, DeWine said he will be issuing an order that requires schools to establish a reporting mechanism for parents to report COVID-19 cases.

“After learning of a student or staff member who tested positive, K-12 schools must report that case to the local health department as quickly as possible,” said DeWine.

We will be issuing an order that requires schools to establish a reporting mechanism for parents to report #COVID19 cases. After learning of a student or staff member who tested positive, K-12 schools must report that case to the local health department as quickly as possible.

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 27, 2020

The governor added that schools should make information about a positive case publicly available and should notify parents and guardians in writing about the case and include as much information as possible without disclosing protected health information.

The local health department will then notify the Ohio Department of Health on a weekly basis about newly reported cases in schools.

“Prompt reporting will help prevent potential further spread among students and staff,” said DeWine. “But remember, just because there is a case at a school, it doesn’t mean the school has done anything wrong. The spread you see in the community will be reflected in the schools.

DeWine says 76 counties are now at the same alert level, which is the smallest movement between levels the state has experienced. Only six counties remain in RED, which means very high exposure and spread.

Locally, Hamilton County is at ORANGE level (increased exposure and spread).

For more information, visit https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system/.