New virus outbreaks at seven local schools

New school outbreaks in Oakland County were limited to seven schools with some districts extending spring break last week. However, 28 Oakland County schools are dealing with ongoing outbreaks.

Of the 162 new COVID cases at Michigan schools reported for the week of April 12-16, 21 cases occurred in eight outbreaks at seven schools in Oakland County.

That is slightly increased from the previous week when there were 15 cases in six outbreaks at six schools in the county. Last week, though, the state had more cases, topping out at 201.

An outbreak, as defined by the state, is two or more cases that have shared exposure on school grounds and are from different households.

Edmonson Elementary in Madison Heights was the only school with two new outbreaks — two cases among students and staff, along with three among students.

The other six schools with new outbreaks: Walled Lake’s Mary Helen Guest Elementary (2 cases, students), Oakley Park Elementary in Commerce Township (2 cases, students), Novi Kindercare (2 cases, students), Troy’s Costello Elementary (2 cases, students), Southfield Christian School (3 cases, students) and Rochester Adams High School (5 cases, students)

Ongoing outbreaks were reported with 99 cases (down from 169 a week ago) at 28 schools with 36 outbreaks in Oakland County.

The five schools with more than one ongoing outbreak include Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Clarkston High School, Detroit Country Day, Holly Academy and Lawrence Tech (football, men’s hockey and women’s volleyball).

Ongoing outbreaks are those that had already been identified in previous weeks but have had at least one new associated case reported to the local health department in the last 28 days.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services releases the school outbreak data each

Monday.

Case counts for schoolrelated outbreaks include those associated with beforeand after-school programs (including schoolsponsored sports). When applicable, outbreak reporting also includes cases originating from on-campus and off-campus student housing.

In other outbreak news, in region 2N which includes Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties, last week there were 84 new outbreaks including 11 new outbreaks at long-term care facilities; 16 in manufacturing and construction; six at healthcare facilities; eight at office settings; zero in a bar; 21 in retail among employees; five in restaurants among employees and none in restaurants with an employee and a patron.