MDHHS issues order for schools

K-12 districts required to notify public of virus cases within 24 hours

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 requires local health departments to notify schools within 24 hours of learning of a probable or confirmed school-associated case of COVID-19.

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 school-associated case. The order goes into effect Monday, Oct. 12.

Information about school outbreaks is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.