 County Schools Gaining Approval for In-Person Instruction
Department of Public Health assists with detailed guidelines to help schools open — and stay open
The County Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that 28 elementary schools have thus far been given permission to provide in-person instruction, while another 14 applications are currently under review by DPH and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). To date, only two school applications have been denied.
The list of these schools, along with everything a school needs to know about re-opening and staying open, can be found on a new County webpage dedicated to the waiver process and the guidelines for operating safely.
To secure a waiver from State mandates forbidding in-person instruction, a school must complete a Waiver Application Cover Form showing that its local health jurisdiction has experienced fewer than 14 daily cases per 100,000 residents over the prior 14 days. San Bernardino County successfully worked with the State to secure consideration for schools located in communities that are meeting the State criteria even if the county as a whole is not.
In addition, the application must include a plan detailing a variety of steps the school is taking to protect students and staff from COVID-19 infection. Elements of the plan must conform to the guidance provided by DPH and the CDPH and include such components as:
- Physical distancing and the establishment of student cohorts
- Health screenings for students, teachers and staff
- Education and training
- Facility cleaning and disinfection
- Use of face coverings and essential protective gear
- Healthy hygiene practices
- Triggers for resuming distance learning; and
- Communications describing how school officials will communicate with students, teachers, staff and parents about cases and potential exposures
“We are pursuing a delicate balancing act,” said County Public Health Director Corwin Porter. “Our goal is to allow as many schools as possible to offer in-person instruction, while at the same time doing everything possible to prevent further spread of COVID-19. That requires each school to maintain strict procedures for ensuring the safety of students, teachers and staff, as well as having a detailed plan for quickly responding to potential outbreaks. Achieving this balance will require all of us to work together diligently.”
To assist schools in the effort, the County has produced the COVID-19 Response Guidance for K-12 Schools, which offers detailed instructions for schools seeking approval to provide in-person instruction. The Guidance includes step-by-step procedures schools should follow as part of their waiver application process.
“The County is working closely with officials at State Public Health to do everything we can to get young people back into school while also keeping them, their teachers and their family members from getting sick,” said Porter. “While public health is our top priority, we also recognize the benefits of in-class learning and urge everyone to follow the steps needed to achieve both objectives.”
Voter Education Begins to Navigate Changes for Upcoming Election
Due to COVID-19 impacts, there are a number of changes that voters will experience in this year’s Presidential Election. To help voters better understand how, when and where to vote, San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters (ROV) has launched a “Your Ballot. Vote Safe. Vote Early.” public education campaign.
This campaign is designed to make it easier for the county’s 1.1 million registered voters to be informed of the changes and participate in the voting process with an emphasis on voting safely and early. The good news is that every voter will still have the opportunity to choose how they want to vote this election – vote-by-mail, ballot drop-off locations, early vote sites, and polling places will all be options.
Key components of the campaign include:
- Education materials in multiple languages that meet the needs of diverse populations
- Virtual presentations with civic, political, community, business, and nonprofit groups
- Social media efforts across multiple platforms
- Advertising on television cable, radio, print, online and billboards
- Working with news outlets to get accurate and timely information out to voters
In September, San Bernardino County residents will begin to see advertising efforts across the County. Details on how, when and where to vote this election are posted and updated on the ROV website and will be shared in the Voter Information Guides to be mailed to all registered voters at the end of this month.
To learn more – or to check on your own voter status -- all residents are invited to visit ROV online at www.sbcountyelections.com. To schedule a presentation or receive a toolkit of voter education materials, email your request tovotesbcounty@westboundcommunications.com.
A few key dates to remember:
- Late September – Voter Information Guide mailed to registered voters
- October 5 – Vote-by-mail ballots delivered to the U.S. Postal Service to be mailed out to registered voters
- October 6 – Ballot drop-off sites open October 26-30
- October 31 to November 3 – Early vote sites open
- November 3 – Election Day
County Nonprofits Taking Advantage of COVID-Compliant Partnership Program
More than 80 nonprofit organizations have joined the over 4,000 other businesses that are taking advantage of the County’s COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program, which offers a variety of benefits — including a $2,500 grant — in exchange for ensuring compliance with State and County public health guidelines.
“San Bernardino County is blessed with an incredibly diverse array of nonprofits that enhance our community in incalculable ways,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “We hope their participation in our Partnership, along with the funding they receive, will enable each of them to further their important mission and continue serving those in need during this national health crisis.”
To join the partnership, a nonprofit must have a physical location and employ between one and 100 people. It also needs to demonstrate compliance with relevant public health orders and incorporate safety and social distancing practices in their operations.
“We are grateful for this opportunity,” said Terri Galdo, operations manager for the Upland Chamber of Commerce. “Like most nonprofits, our operations rely on fundraising, and the pandemic has virtually eliminated that source of revenue. At the same time, we’ve found ourselves busier than ever supporting our local businesses, and we’ve needed to have staff available to answer questions and provide various resources to our members and others. The program has not only helped financially, but also allowed us to establish a safe environment for our people and given us guidance for operating during these difficult times.”
Sheriff Update on Inmates and Employees Testing Positive for COVID
As of today, a total of 355 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. The infected inmates are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are being provided with medical treatment. A total of 330 inmates have recovered.
A total of 185 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19; with 174 having recovered from the virus. Other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks.
Latest Stats
50,978 Confirmed Cases (up 0.5% from the previous day)
835 Deaths (up 0.4% from the previous day)
551,650 Tests (up 0.5% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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