EDITED: October 12, 2020
We wanted to provide an update of COVID-19 stats in Bexley, as well as key reminders of what we all need to be doing to help prevent spread. As we approach the end of the first quarter at Bexley City Schools, we are seeing a noticeable rise of COVID-19 cases in our community. All of the work the district is doing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is very fragile, especially if we are letting our guards down outside of the school buildings. If we want our schools to remain open, we must change our actions.
- Bexley case rates have increased noticeably in the last two weeks.
- The two-week COVID-19 incidence rate (red line in graph below) in Bexley and in Franklin County is considered “high” by the State of Ohio. Public health officials use this metric to determine the spread of the virus and the safety of remaining open.
Our increasing rate of spread should raise our attention and serve as an opportunity to emphasize the need for every Bexley community member to do their part to protect themselves, their family, and their neighbors from COVID-19. It’s critical that we continue to act as if we have the virus, and as if everyone around us has the virus. When we keep our community safe, we help keep our schools safe by extension. Here are some examples of activities that are occurring more frequently and will promote the spread of COVID-19:
- Kids gathering and traveling in groups outside of structured, controlled environments.
- People riding in cars with non-household members.
- Visits to other households where masks are not being worn and distancing is not being carefully observed.
Now more than ever, the following guidelines are critical:
- Maintain a distance of at least 6’ from anyone outside of your household.
- Wear a mask at all times while indoors (other than in your house). Wear masks outside when you are unable to keep a distance of at least 6’.
- Keep social circles small, and continue following mask and distancing guidelines within those circles.
- Stay at home if you’re sick, showing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed.
- Maintain careful hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and warm water often, for a minimum of 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- All gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people.
It’s easy for us to become complacent and comfortable, but it’s important to remember that even a partial re-opening of our schools and our businesses requires us to be more vigilant, more aware, and more careful. As parents and members of a community, it’s our responsibility to model and teach safe behavior.
