New Mexico schools will focus on implementing enhanced COVID-19 safety measures for Rapid Response protocols in lieu of requiring schools to close.
The initial protocol for a school having four Rapid Response cases of COVID-19 in a 14-day period was to shut the school down. Now, the New Mexico Public Education Department wants to work with schools and allow in-person learning to continue as long as possible, KRWG reports.
“Our medical advisors have noted that schools currently are not hotbeds of COVID-19 infections,” Secretary of Education Designate Kurt Steinhaus said in a press release, according to KRWG. “At this point, we are not closing schools. The caveat is that the virus could change things, but we need to do what’s best for kids, which is to keep in-person learning to the extent possible."
The NMPED is working with the state's medical advisory team to evaluate and update guidance and processes to ensure student and staff safety so that schools can remain open for the 21-22 academic year, KRWG reports.
The New Mexico Environmental Department tracks Rapid Responses based on reports both internally and from other state agencies, KRWG reports. Eighteen schools have notified the NMPED that they are going to be moving to remote learning.