MDHHS to schools: must give case notice within 24 hours

Directive focuses on transparency with virus

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued an emergency order requiring K-12 schools to provide public notice of probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours.

The order also requires local health depa r t - ments to notify schools within 24 hour s of learning of a probable or conf i rmed school-associated case of COVID

Schools must then provide notification on a highly visible location on the school’s website that covers the impacted building or location within 24 hours.

Schools are encouraged to provide information about measures in place at the school to prevent transmission of COVID-19, as well as measures that individuals can take to prevent transmission.

“Recent outbreaks throughout the country demonstrate that COVID-19 can spread quickly in the school setting,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “Timely communication from schools to parents, guardians, students, teachers, staff and other persons affiliated with schools enables members of the school community to take measures to prevent spread of the virus.”

In addition to the public notice, local health departments will continue to provide direct notification to individuals who are, or are suspected, of being a close contact of a schoolassociated case.

The order goes into effect Monday, Oct. 12.

Information about school outbreaks is available atMichigan.gov/Coronavirus.