As of January 5, 2022, Howard County has put new mandates in place in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. Within the last few weeks, there has been an increase in COVID cases as the new Omicron variant grows rampant. For a brief day and a half, the Howard County board even decided to pause all extracurricular activities; however, they were quickly brought back. Winter sports have started, which is the perfect opportunity for the disease to spread. Howard

County staff have emphasized the fact that keeping schools open for in-person instruction is their top priority and that they are doing all they can to prevent further spreading of the new COVID-19 variant. 

Here are new things that were mentioned in the most recent HCPSS announcement, updated January 9, 2022:

• Increased testing in schools: According to Lauren Mancini, an English teacher at Centennial High School, staff can only be tested if they are symptomatic, whether they are vaccinated or not. This may be due to the current COVID testing shortage. MAKO medical, a health care diagnostic laboratory that offers accurate and fast testing, is starting to expand their testing opportunities for staff around the county; however, they need to register online prior to being tested.
• The CDC announced that children aged 12-15 are now eligible to get their COVID booster. HCPSS News included an announcement about upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics: there are many opportunities for students to get vaccinated, and even ways to get vaccinated in HCPSS schools. Students must sign up and complete paperwork before entering the vaccine clinic. 
• HCPSS News provides information regarding COVID testing. There are diagnostic testing opportunities at every Howard County school for those with symptoms, and testing provided by MAKO each week at high schools for unvaccinated staff and student-athletes.

Howard County provides updates every Wednesday at 11:00 on the number of COVID cases between staff and students, however there have been no additional updates regarding COVID mitigation efforts since January 9, 2022.

As COVID cases are on the rise, it is important that students and staff know how to keep up to date with the constant changes. 

Here are some HCPSS resources to look at with updates provided:

COVID mitigation efforts: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2022/01/updated-covid-mitigation-efforts-in-hcpss-schools-jan-3-2022/

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic:

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2021/12/upcoming-covid-19-vaccine-clinics-for-students-ages-5-11/

COVID testing- testing availability in schools:

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2022/01/updated-covid-mitigation-efforts-in-hcpss-schools-jan-3-2022/#testing

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