Positive cases of COVID in Monongalia County schools were at their lowest numbers last week since the early days of the pandemic two years ago.
The district reported just six positive cases among students in the week shortened by a mini-break for spring. One staffer also presented with a positive diagnosis.
“We’re right where we need to be,” Deputy Schools Superintendent Donna Talerico said last week, during that break. “We’re in a pretty good place right now.”
While the reporting comes from an abbreviated week of classes, the district is now operating under a mask-optional policy, also for the first time since the pandemic hit in 2020.
Mon’s school district numbers also appear to mirror a statewide trend in the lessening of COVID, the state Department of Health and Human Resources said Monday.
As of 10 a.m. that day, the DHHR was reporting 623 active cases statewide, including 29 in Monongalia County and 18 in neighboring Preston.
The agency’s County Alert map was also awash in green, the best hue for low infection rates, Monday morning, with just two counties, Braxton and Webster, showing yellow.
All the above, however, doesn’t mean the coronavirus is in the past tense, in West Virginia and elsewhere.
In the Mountain State, another five deaths were reported over the weekend, bringing the total 6,651, over the current run of the contagion. A 56-year-old from Brooke County is the youngest among the most recent victims.
Statewide, there are 623 active cases of COVID, including 29 in Mon and 18 in neighboring Preston.
Currently, 198 residents are hospitalized, with 64 in intensive care and 34 on ventilators.
Those totals include four pediatric patients, who currently don’t require ICU treatment or ventilator assistance to breathe.
Physicians and other health-watchers are keeping a keen eye on the latest variant of the virus making its presence known across Europe.
Meanwhile, if you want to be a presence for the district’s programs in fitness and nutrition, you can do so by lacing up your shoes for the Monongalia County Schools 3-Mile WELLNESS Walk-Run which is April 30 along the Deckers Creek Trail.
The programs offered in the school district are for students, staffers and their families.
Visit https://boe.mono.k12.wv.us/ for other particulars of this free event, including sign-up information.
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