KINGWOOD, W.Va. – The Preston County Board of Education met in special session today and implemented a temporary mask mandate, according to superintendent Stephen Wotring.
“The Preston County Board of Education voted to implement a mask mandate for all buses and all school buildings through September 27,” Wotring said.
The most recent data from the Preston County Health Department shows there are 147 active cases in the county. Breakthrough cases account for 8 cases and 16 school aged children are positive with the virus. Health officials said 95 percent of the cases are in people that are unvaccinated.
Unlike last year, policies for quarantine are more clear and promote keeping students in classrooms.
“The CDC guidelines, through the state department and our health department guidelines- if students are wearing masks, if one of them tests positive and everybody around them is in masks,” Wotring said,” The those students will not have to be quarantined.”
The Preston County Board of Education started the school year with mask mandate that was recommended by health officials. Then the board voted to change that policy from a mandate to “Highly recommend the wearing of masks in all indoor facilities.”
“We will revisit this issue on September 27,” Wotring said,” But for now hopefully, because of the masks we will be able to keep our kids in school.”