Schools in Marin see rise in virus

Factors: Subvariant, off-campus activities

About 20 Marin schools are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, the county's public health officer said Monday.

“We are seeing increased virus activity countywide,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin public health officer. “The current surge in cases is related to our behavior, and the behavior of the virus.”

The BA.2 subvariant of the virus “is dominant now — and it's even more infectious than the omicron strain that fueled the winter surge,” Willis said.

“At the same time, people are gathering more — with proms and parties — and face covering is less common,” Willis added. “As in the past, our investigations are showing that cases among students are generally infected outside of school.”

An outbreak is defined as three or more cases among students or staff.

Despite the surge, the county “will not be issuing any local mask mandates for any settings — schools or otherwise — at this time,” Willis said.

“Rather, public health will be issuing guidance for school districts to weigh among the many local factors best known to them,” he said.

In some Marin school districts, administrators are urging parents and students to consider masking for indoor classes and special events as cases continue to rise.

“We've learned a lot over the last several months and know that layers of mitigation strategies work to reduce the transmission of COVID-19,” Becky Rosales, the Miller Creek School District superintendent, said in a letter to parents Monday.

“Please partner with our schools during these last weeks of the school year to keep our community safe by continuing to monitor your child for symptoms

and increasing mask use,” Rosales added.

Students or staff in classrooms in which an outbreak is reported should mask for 10 days and monitor for symptoms, Rosales said.

The district is also distributing at-home rapid tests for students and staff to use five days after exposure or if symptomatic, she said.

Similarly, the Novato Unified School District is giving families cautionary advice, said Leslie Benjamin, a district spokesperson.

“Some of our schools are starting to see an increase in COVID-positive cases and they are recommending indoor masking for those classes or grade levels,” she said.

San Rafael City Schools are adhering to the latest update from the Marin County public health office, according to spokesperson Christina Perrino.

“As of 3/23/22, MCPH recommends that all school staff and students wear a mask, especially if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised, at high risk for severe illness

or not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine,” the update states. “Face masks are not required outdoors as the risk of transmission is low in most outdoor settings.”

At the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District, officials are advising staff and students to follow the public health guidelines.

“We will continue to follow MCPH, which is currently for students and staff to consider wearing a mask when community transmission is substantial or moderate — especially if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised, high risk for severe illness or not fully vaccinated or not up to date,” said Brett Geithman, the district superintendent.

Erin Conklin, director of special education and student health at the Mill Valley School District, said its schools are also following county public health guidance.

“Parents receive notification of positive cases in their children's classes and are recommended to mask and monitor for symptoms for 10 days after the exposure in public and in school,” Conklin said.

Will Anderson, principal of Lucas Valley Elementary School, said in a letter to parents that “it might be prudent to have your children begin wearing masks again. Not a mandate by any stretch — just a recommendation.”

Anderson made the suggestion after seeing “quite the surge” in COVID cases over the last few weeks.

“Just this weekend, five students, that I am aware of, tested positive, and with connections to buddies on Friday, music classes, specialists, after care, and other on-site programs, other classes are affected,” Anderson wrote.

“Things are ramping up a bit and we are not alone,” he added. “Fortunately, the symptoms appear to be mild, which is a great thing. Scratchy throat, cold-like symptoms. Nevertheless, when positive there are implications… missing school.”

Students who test positive must quarantine at home for at least five days.

“Those exposed to a COVID positive case are strongly recommended to wear masks for 10 days, testing after Day 5,” Anderson said.

Willis confirmed Monday that the county has shifted from a focus on the number of infections to “looking for surges in severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths as the triggers for more significant policy changes.”

“Currently there is only one person in intensive care in Marin for COVID-19 infection, and we haven't

had more than two in the ICU since late February,” he said.

Willis said a “combination of factors is protecting us from surges in severe illness” while cases counts rise.

“First, with very high vaccination rates, people of all ages are protected from severe illness and death,” he said. “Second is access to treatment — people who would have ended up in the hospital before are now getting outpatient treatment.”

“And last,” Willis added, “is the virus itself has changed to being less severe, less invasive deep into the lungs than prior strains.”

Marin schools received additional guidance last month from the county regarding large end-of-year events such as proms, graduations or other gatherings of more than 50 people.

In those guidelines, families were advised to have students or other attendees use an at-home rapid antigen test before a large event and to consider wearing a mask if the event is indoors.

Most Marin schools will end the current 2021-22 school year on June 9.

“Just this weekend, five students, that I am aware of, tested positive, and with connections to buddies on Friday, music classes, specialists, after care, and other on-site programs, other classes are affected.”

— Will Anderson, principal of Lucas Valley Elementary School