COVID-19 dashboard promotes transparency as ETHS resumes in-person learning
The COVID-19 dashboard, which was created in April 2021 at the start of hybrid learning, is designed to offer transparency about staff and student COVID-19 exposures, quarantines, vaccinations and positive cases at ETHS. With the latest rise in the number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases in addition to the start of the new school year, ETHS is continuing the COVID-19 dashboard to provide ongoing transparency.
The COVID-19 dashboard totals weekly data for both students and staff members. Beginning on Sept. 15, ETHS will require unvaccinated staff members and unvaccinated students with parental consent to get tested weekly. However, the dashboard numbers are currently reliant on self-reported cases. ETHS maintains that all individuals who have reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis have not necessarily contracted the virus on school grounds.
According to the ETHS COVID Dashboard Website, the school only shares personal information of self-reported COVID cases with the Illinois Department of Public Health as legally allowable under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) in an effort to assist the state in contact tracing. The ETHS nurse’s office administers contact tracing for students, providing guidelines on when they can return to the classroom and school activities. Contact tracing procedures are based on whether a student is vaccinated or unvaccinated, and whether they are symptomatic.
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they will be prohibited from accessing all ETHS facilities for a minimum of 10 days until they meet the COVID-19 criteria for returning to school as outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health Interim Exclusion Guidance.
As of Friday, Sept. 10, ETHS has had 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases among students since the start of the school year. The dashboard also shows 2846 students have submitted proof of vaccination, and 544 staff members have submitted proof of vaccination.
The updated COVID-19 dashboard can be found on the ETHS COVID Dashboard Website.
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