The D67 Dashboard has been updated for the week of February 1, 2021, to reflect the latest information from our schools and local health departments. On February 3, 2021, North Suburban Region 9 moved into Phase 4 under the State’s Restore Illinois Plan. Region 9 includes both Lake and McHenry Counties. As of February 1, Region 9’s COVID-19 testing positivity rate was 6.1% calculated on a 7-day rolling average. The region’s test positivity rate has been below 6.5% for three consecutive days, and decreases in COVID-19 patients in the hospital have been reported in 10 of the past 10 days.
Our incidence rates for staff and students remain low, and our schools have maintained sufficient staffing and risk mitigation measures to allow us to remain in-person hybrid for instruction. Thank you for your collective effort to support our students and safe schools!
Travel Guidance
We have received many inquiries over the past few weeks regarding travel guidance, especially with the continued decrease in our local positivity rates. The decline is a welcome relief for all of us, and the thought of getting away even for a few days is expected, especially with sub-zero temperatures outside! Even with our local rates improving, travel is still one of many activities considered high risk, especially air travel when social distancing cannot be maintained; adherence to the 3W’s is inconsistent; and the level of transmission in the travel location is high. All of those risk factors can be mitigated by driving; minimizing interactions with individuals outside of the family; and adherence to the 3W’s.
If you are traveling, and/or engaging in high-risk activities such as sleepovers or large gatherings, and you cannot adhere to the 3W’s, please stay home and follow these guidelines for your child to return to in-person learning. These guidelines are a strong recommendation for domestic travel, and a requirement for international travel per IDPH.
- Complete 7-days of self-isolation, obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 3-5 days of return from travel, and remain symptom free, OR
- Complete 10-days of self-isolation upon return without taking a COVID-19 test, and remain symptom free.
In addition, international travelers will need to adhere to the CDC Travel Guidelines as of January 26, 2021 that requires all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof to the airline prior to departure. Upon arrival in the U.S., travelers will be expected to adhere to one of the previous stated requirements for non-essential travel.
Updated Sports Guidance
IDPH released updated sports guidance this week and levels of play for all sports are becoming less restrictive. We recognize the need for students to be involved in activities outside of school. Adherence to the safety guidelines while participating will allow us to keep our schools safe and remain open.
Vaccinations
A vast majority of our staff are in the process of receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Lake County is now vaccinating individuals in category 1B, which includes educators. There are 2 sites in Lake County that have set up pods specifically for educators, Stevenson High School and Round Lake High School. Each site has set aside time slots for appointments that allow teachers to be vaccinated outside of school hours.
The decrease in positivity rates, eases in restrictions, and access to the vaccine are all celebrations! However, the pandemic is still unpredictable and health organizations are not easing up on their recommendations for everyone to follow the 3W’s. Our ability to safely remain open for in-person learning still depends on our collective efforts to adhere to safety guidelines whether you are in Lake Forest, or elsewhere.
Thank you,
