Schools across the country have reopened, and a traditional school day now involves social distancing, temperature checks at the door, mask wearing, and occasional temporary closures due to students and teachers testing positive for COVID-19
State governors, health and education departments have released different sets of guidelines that schools can follow when reopening for in-person instruction. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed these guidelines to create a list of restrictions, re-closures, and safety recommendations for schools in every state.
Many schools from Alaska to Florida have had to temporarily close just days after reopening for in-person instruction as both teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19. Schools in several states that resumed on-site classes as recently as this week have already reported closures.
A few states that started the new academic year weeks ago have not reported shutting down school buildings. In some of these states, like Hawaii, schools have shifted to full-time distance learning until the end of the fall semester. In some other states that have yet to report school shutdowns, like in California, the criteria to open for in-person instruction are very strict.
Though COVID-19 cases are being reported in many schools in every state, not every school is choosing to shut down. New York City, for example, will only close schools that report at least two cases in different classrooms. School buildings will be closed citywide only if the positivity rate in New York hits 3%, using a seven-day average.
Like K-12 schools, colleges and universities have reopened over the past month. Many of the institutions that chose to offer in-person education have reported thousands of new coronavirus cases — despite taking precautions like mask wearing and social distancing. Here are 25 colleges that reported spikes in COVID-19 cases after reopening.
Click here for every state’s guide to how schools are managing coronavirus
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Alabama
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, 2 days a week in-person instruction, alternating AM and PM schedule
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for nurses and school visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: One high school temporarily closed a month ago after 4 students tested positive for COVID-19. Baldwin County Schools suspended some sports for 10 days until Sept. 9. Gadsden City Schools will allow in person instruction as an option beginning Sept. 28.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 3,032 per 100,000 people — 4th most (total: 148,206)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.3% — 21st smallest increase (from 141,087 to 147,153)
> Population: 4.9 million
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Alaska
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, elementary school in-person, middle and high school distance learning
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged whenever possible
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature and symptom screening for all
> Re-closing schools: Elementary school in the Mat-Su Borough School District, the state’s largest, closed as of Sept. 1 after 5 COVID-19 cases were reported. Classes were moved online. The Anchorage School District has also temporarily closed schools because of the coronavirus. The goal is to reopen by mid-October.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,077 per 100,000 people — 9th fewest (total: 7,941)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 7.8% — 13th largest increase (from 7,365 to 7,941)
> Population: 737,000
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Arizona
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: A school in Tucson closed from Aug. 25 – Sept. 7 after 1 student tested positive. Another school partially closed after a teacher tested positive. An elementary school closed on the second day of classes after 2 staff members tested positive.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 3,010 per 100,000 people — 5th most (total: 215,852)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.6% — 8th smallest increase (from 209,907 to 215,284)
> Population: 7.2 million
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Arkansas
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Reopening plan: Must provide in-person instructions as option 5 days a week
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for children 10+ on buses, drivers, required for adults and students 10+ in school buildings
> Health screening precautions: Have screening stations, screening signs
> Re-closing schools: Several schools temporarily moved classes online after 100+ students and staff had to quarantine due to possible exposure. The Earle School District closed an elementary school indefinitely after a second person tested positive. Since Sept. 14, at least 12 students have tested positive and schools are working to contact all probable contacts
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,587 per 100,000 people — 10th most (total: 77,963)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 8.0% — 11th largest increase (from 72,219 to 77,963)
> Population: 3.0 million
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California
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, alternate distance learning with in-person instruction
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and Grade 3 and up
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks, hand-washing required before entering school
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,999 per 100,000 people — 25th most (total: 790,640)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.2% — 13th smallest increase (from 762,963 to 787,470)
> Population: 39.6 million
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Colorado
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, maximize in-person learning
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for students 11+, required for staff and if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: In mid-September, 1 school closed temporarily and one shifted to remote learning after students and staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,171 per 100,000 people — 11th fewest (total: 66,669)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 5.4% — 22nd largest increase (from 62,686 to 66,053)
> Population: 5.7 million
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Connecticut
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most open for in-person instruction
> Mask or face covering rules: Masks required for all when inside school
> Health screening precautions: Maximize social distancing, students bring their own water
> Re-closing schools: Since the start of the new academic year, more than a dozen public schools across Connecticut have temporarily shut down in-person learning due to COVID-19 cases among students and staff
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,576 per 100,000 people — 18th fewest (total: 56,315)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.1% — 5th smallest increase (from 55,166 to 56,315)
> Population: 3.6 million
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Delaware
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and grades 4-12, recommended for Pre-K – 3 grade
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks at home, the state will provide testing for staff and students
> Re-closing schools: 1 student at Caravel Academy in Bear tested positive. School was thouroughly cleaned and disinfected and remained open
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,062 per 100,000 people — 22nd most (total: 19,947)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.7% — 9th smallest increase (from 19,234 to 19,761)
> Population: 967,000
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Florida
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction, unless barred by local directives
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Set up secondary clinic for kids showing symptoms
> Re-closing schools: Several schools were temporarily closed until mid-Sept after people tested positive. Classes were moved online. More than 800 people in Central Florida have been asked to quarantine
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 3,254 per 100,000 people — 2nd most (total: 693,040)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.9% — 10th smallest increase (from 671,201 to 690,499)
> Population: 21.3 million
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Georgia
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Personal choice
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> Re-closing schools: Georgia schools closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,944 per 100,000 people — 6th most (total: 309,678)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.6% — 17th smallest increase (from 299,056 to 309,678)
> Population: 10.5 million
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Hawaii
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Distance learning for at least first few weeks
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 823 per 100,000 people — 6th fewest (total: 11,689)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 6.3% — 16th largest increase (from 10,844 to 11,522)
> Population: 1.4 million
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Idaho
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Two of Idaho’s three largest districts decided to begin the year online
> Mask or face covering rules: Required by some districts
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks for all
> Re-closing schools: At least three schools in East Idaho have had to temporarily shut down in mid-Sept. after a few students tested positive and several teachers were exposed to a positive case of COVID-19
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,186 per 100,000 people — 20th most (total: 38,347)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 6.2% — 17th largest increase (from 36,093 to 38,347)
> Population: 1.8 million
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Illinois
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, with majority going remote
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings and temperature checks for all
> Re-closing schools: At least one elementary school in Palos Heights temporarily closed for 2 weeks until Sept. 8 after one staff member tested positive. Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District 100 switched to remote-learning until Sept. 21 after 3 people tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,208 per 100,000 people — 18th most (total: 281,371)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.9% — 24th largest increase (from 266,151 to 279,114)
> Population: 12.7 million
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Indiana
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Most schools offer option of full-time in-person or distance learning
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for school staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: Schools in Indiana closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,707 per 100,000 people — 21st fewest (total: 114,236)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 5.1% — 23rd largest increase (from 107,809 to 113,337)
> Population: 6.7 million
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Iowa
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Option for hybrid model or distance learning, at least 50% must be in-person instruction
> Mask or face covering rules: Not recommended but allowed
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> Re-closing schools: The Des Moines school district defied Gov. Kim Reynolds order and started the school year remotely. North Scott High School temporarily closed after 11 staff members and students tested positive.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,641 per 100,000 people — 9th most (total: 83,347)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 7.8% — 12th largest increase (from 76,050 to 82,006)
> Population: 3.2 million
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Kansas
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid September
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Mask or face covering rules: REquired for staff, visitors, and most students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> Re-closing schools: Several schools moved to distance learning full-time and have canceled sport events due to coronavirus exposure and team quarantines
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,897 per 100,000 people — 23rd fewest (total: 55,226)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 8.6% — 9th largest increase (from 50,870 to 55,226)
> Population: 2.9 million
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Kentucky
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction recommended to be delayed until late Sept. 28
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended or required, depending on local virus transmission level
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: In mid-August one school in Clinton County moved classes online for 2 weeks after a student tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,421 per 100,000 people — 16th fewest (total: 63,517)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 8.1% — 10th largest increase (from 58,764 to 63,517)
> Population: 4.5 million
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Louisiana
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, up to each school
> Mask or face covering rules: Required, students who can’t wear them will be in static groups
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: Several schools in Louisiana closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19, classes were moved online
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 3,503 per 100,000 people — the most (total: 163,222)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.4% — 7th smallest increase (from 158,826 to 162,645)
> Population: 4.7 million
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Maine
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, many choose a hybrid model
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults, required for students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily self-checks for students and staff
> Re-closing schools: One school district delayed the start of the academic year by a week after 1 staff member tested positive. St. Dominic Academy’s Lewiston campus will remain closed through Sept. 28 after 2 students tested positive.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 390 per 100,000 people — 2nd fewest (total: 5,215)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.7% — 25th largest increase (from 4,941 to 5,171)
> Population: 1.3 million
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Maryland
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> Re-closing schools: Harford County’s Superintendent said in a tweet that the district will bring some students back to class by Oct. 19.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,016 per 100,000 people — 24th most (total: 121,800)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.9% — 11th smallest increase (from 117,888 to 121,297)
> Population: 6.0 million
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Massachusetts
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for grade 2 and up, encouraged for the rest
> Health screening precautions: Temperature checks are not recommended
> Re-closing schools: Salem summer programs were closed for a week in mid-August after one staff member tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,831 per 100,000 people — 22nd fewest (total: 126,408)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.2% — 6th smallest increase (from 123,720 to 126,408)
> Population: 6.9 million
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Michigan
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid September
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, online classes must be an option
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for some
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks recommended
> Re-closing schools: At least one high school closed for 2 weeks until Sept. 11 after 5 students and one staff member tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,313 per 100,000 people — 14th fewest (total: 131,259)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.4% — 22nd smallest increase (from 125,742 to 131,259)
> Population: 10.0 million
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Minnesota
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid September
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students, staff, and others in schools, offices, and transportation
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: One school district delayed the start of the new academic year after a staff member tested positive. One county switched to hybrid model after a spike of COVID-19 cases in the area
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,641 per 100,000 people — 19th fewest (total: 92,100)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 7.3% — 14th largest increase (from 85,813 to 92,100)
> Population: 5.6 million
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Mississippi
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, start delayed in some schools
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: In mid-August more than 2,000 students and nearly 500 teachers were quarantined after 245 teachers and 199 students tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 3,191 per 100,000 people — 3rd most (total: 95,310)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.7% — 19th smallest increase (from 91,234 to 94,573)
> Population: 3.0 million
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Missouri
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening.
> Re-closing schools: At least one school district closed temporarily until Sept. 4 after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Classes were moved online
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,930 per 100,000 people — 25th fewest (total: 118,264)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 9.7% — 8th largest increase (from 106,546 to 116,890)
> Population: 6.1 million
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Montana
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, half days
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Visitor temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: The Great Falls Public Schools on Sept. 14 announced 14 active cases of COVID-19 among students and staff across the district, temporarily closing Great Falls High School
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,058 per 100,000 people — 8th fewest (total: 11,242)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 15.7% — 2nd largest increase (from 9,431 to 10,912)
> Population: 1.1 million
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Nebraska
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread, start postponed until Sept. 16, academic year cut to 170 days
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Visitors wash hands before entering the school, symptom self-screen
> Re-closing schools: Students in Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska’s largest public school district, returned to the classroom starting Sept. 23 for the first time since March
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,191 per 100,000 people — 19th most (total: 42,278)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 6.0% — 18th largest increase (from 39,419 to 41,785)
> Population: 1.9 million
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Nevada
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended, post signs about proper hand-washing and other ways to stop the virus
> Re-closing schools: At least one elementary school was temporarily closed after one suspected positive case that may have exposed 8 people
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,544 per 100,000 people — 12th most (total: 77,197)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.4% — 14th smallest increase (from 74,248 to 76,807)
> Population: 3.0 million
Source: Bow School District - Dunbarton School District - SAU 67 / Facebook
New Hampshire
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings for staff, students
> Re-closing schools: One high school moved classes online for 3 days and suspended sports indefinitely after several students tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 590 per 100,000 people — 3rd fewest (total: 8,007)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 2.9% — 12th smallest increase (from 7,780 to 8,007)
> Population: 1.4 million
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New Jersey
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most return with a hybrid model
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for school staff and visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and history of exposure
> Re-closing schools: About 20 schools across the state have halted in-person learning, two weeks into the school year, because of students and teachers testing positive for the coronavirus.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,262 per 100,000 people — 17th most (total: 201,552)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 1.6% — 4th smallest increase (from 197,792 to 200,988)
> Population: 8.9 million
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New Mexico
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: School year will start remotely the first few weeks
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,336 per 100,000 people — 15th fewest (total: 27,987)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.5% — 15th smallest increase (from 27,041 to 27,987)
> Population: 2.1 million
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New York
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late September
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, NYC allowing outdoor learning
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> Re-closing schools: Six NYC school buildings were closed temporarily the week of Sept.21
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,317 per 100,000 people — 14th most (total: 452,847)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 1.2% — 3rd smallest increase (from 446,366 to 451,892)
> Population: 19.5 million
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North Carolina
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most start year remote
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teachers and students K-12
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: Durham Public School District’s Hillside High School was scheduled to reopen Sept. 24 after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,909 per 100,000 people — 24th fewest (total: 198,189)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.5% — 24th smallest increase (from 188,024 to 196,501)
> Population: 10.4 million
Source: Courtesy of Fargo Public Schools via Facebook
North Dakota
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended, especially if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Testing for COVID-19 based on risk level
> Re-closing schools: At least one school, which has about 40 students, closed down in the end of August until Sept. 11 after 2 students tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,559 per 100,000 people — 11th most (total: 19,451)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 16.2% — the largest increase (from 16,333 to 18,981)
> Population: 760,000
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Ohio
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most return for in-person instruction full-time
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Re-closing schools: The Mentor Public School District in Lake County shifted to online learning only after a teacher tested positive for COVID-19
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,264 per 100,000 people — 13th fewest (total: 147,744)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.4% — 23rd smallest increase (from 140,518 to 146,753)
> Population: 11.7 million
Source: Patrick W. Moore / Wikimedia Commons
Oklahoma
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks at home recommended
> Re-closing schools: Over half of all districts in the state have reported at least one COVID-19 case, with many shifting to online learning
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,033 per 100,000 people — 23rd most (total: 80,161)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 10.9% — 5th largest increase (from 72,284 to 80,161)
> Population: 3.9 million
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Oregon
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 752 per 100,000 people — 4th fewest (total: 31,503)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 5.5% — 20th largest increase (from 29,850 to 31,503)
> Population: 4.2 million
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Pennsylvania
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Re-closing schools: All buildings in the Carlisle Area School District were closed until Sept. 28 beginning Sept. 23 because of COVID-19 cases.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,198 per 100,000 people — 12th fewest (total: 153,397)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.8% — 20th smallest increase (from 146,990 to 152,544)
> Population: 12.8 million
Source: Courtesy of The Wheeler School
Rhode Island
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-September
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,299 per 100,000 people — 15th most (total: 24,311)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.5% — 16th smallest increase (from 23,358 to 24,177)
> Population: 1.1 million
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South Carolina
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Up to each school, only 22% start in-person full time
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff who ride the state’s pupil transportation system
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> Re-closing schools: At least 2 elementary schools temporarily closed in mid-August after a few staff members tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,807 per 100,000 people — 7th most (total: 142,707)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 5.6% — 19th largest increase (from 134,122 to 141,686)
> Population: 5.1 million
Source: sergeyryzhov / iStock via Getty Images
South Dakota
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, plan for full time distance learning if students test positive
> Mask or face covering rules: Strongly recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: Three South Dakota school districts announced the week of Sept. 21 that are transitioning to online learning.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,278 per 100,000 people — 16th most (total: 20,097)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 13.6% — 3rd largest increase (from 17,291 to 19,634)
> Population: 882,000
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Tennessee
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all staff, students in middle and high school
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: Several schools closed for in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive. Harpeth High School closed for 2 weeks on Sept. 14 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,758 per 100,000 people — 8th most (total: 186,709)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 5.4% — 21st largest increase (from 177,087 to 186,709)
> Population: 6.8 million
Source: TrongNguyen / iStock via Getty Images
Texas
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction in public schools, offer online option as transition period
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and old enough students
> Health screening precautions: Symptom self-screening for staff
> Re-closing schools: Krum Middle School and Krum High School switched to remote learning Sept. 14 until further notice after several positive coronavirus tests.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,507 per 100,000 people — 13th most (total: 719,599)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 6.6% — 15th largest increase (from 674,772 to 719,599)
> Population: 28.7 million
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Utah
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Self-monitoring symptoms
> Re-closing schools: At least two high schools in the Granite School District are transitioning to two weeks of remote learning after COVID-19 outbreaks.
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 2,085 per 100,000 people — 21st most (total: 65,921)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 10.3% — 6th largest increase (from 59,747 to 65,921)
> Population: 3.2 million
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Vermont
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Staggered student schedules
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening at home
> Re-closing schools: Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury closed to in-person instruction the week of Sept. 13 after two students tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 275 per 100,000 people — the fewest (total: 1,724)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 1.2% — 2nd smallest increase (from 1,702 to 1,722)
> Population: 626,000
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Virginia
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August / Early September (depends on district)
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> Re-closing schools: At least 4 schools temporarily closed in early September after several staff members tested positive
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,685 per 100,000 people — 20th fewest (total: 143,492)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 4.6% — 25th smallest increase (from 136,359 to 142,590)
> Population: 8.5 million
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Washington
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Many districts starting the school year with a hybrid model
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff, recommended for students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: As many as five Seattle-area school districts are weighing plans to offer some in-person classes, 2 schools in Southwest Washington close due to coronavirus exposure, classes were moved online
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,111 per 100,000 people — 10th fewest (total: 83,702)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 3.6% — 18th smallest increase (from 80,812 to 83,702)
> Population: 7.5 million
Source: Courtesy of Morgantown High School
West Virginia
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Reopening plan: Expected to open for in-person instruction
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students grades 3 and above
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Re-closing schools: At least 1 high school temporarily shut down after 1 staff member tested positive, classes were moved online
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 814 per 100,000 people — 5th fewest (total: 14,706)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 9.9% — 7th largest increase (from 13,196 to 14,504)
> Population: 1.8 million
Source: THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images
Wisconsin
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September (depends on district)
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, many will start in-person classes
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teacher when close to other people, required for students in high-traffic periods
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended
> Re-closing schools: Craig High School in Janesville switched to remote learning in September after student tested positive for COVID-19
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 1,571 per 100,000 people — 17th fewest (total: 91,304)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: N/A
> Population: 5.8 million
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Source: sheridan.k12.wy.us
Wyoming
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, based on community spread
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Up to each district
> Re-closing schools: An elementary school in Worland had its reopening delayed after 2 staff members tested positive and 10 others were placed in quarantine
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Sep 24: 895 per 100,000 people — 7th fewest (total: 5,169)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 16 – Sep 23: 13.2% — 4th largest increase (from 4,566 to 5,169)
> Population: 578,000
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