New CDC Indicators Guide Schools in Learning Format Decisions

As some schools across the national continue to hold classes remotely—and others operate fully in-person or in combined in-person and remote formats—school officials are looking for guidance on when they can change their learning formats. This week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new indicators to help schools make decisions about in-person learning as local conditions evolve throughout the pandemic.

The indicators look at several factors, such as the number of new cases per 100,000 persons within the last 14 days, the percent change in new cases per 100,000 population during the last seven days compared with the previous seven days, and the percentage of occupied inpatient beds in the community hospitals. 

In addition, the indicators consider the ability of schools to implement five key mitigation strategies:

• Consistent and correct use of masks
• Social distancing to the largest extent possible
• Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Contact tracing in collaboration with the local health department.