Cuyahoga County health officials defend push for online schooling, suspended extracurricular activities

Cuyahoga County Board of Health tells school districts to rethink reopening plans

By Chris Anderson | July 31, 2020 at 2:18 PM EDT - Updated July 31 at 6:03 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and members of the Board of Health addressed the area’s latest increase in COVID-19 cases and what steps are being taken to slow the spread of infection.

Cuyahoga County health officials hold briefing after push for online schooling, suspended extracurricular activities https://bit.ly/2XcWw1K
Posted by Cleveland 19 News on Friday, July 31, 2020

The briefing from health officials comes a day after the agency recommended for all Cuyahoga County school districts to begin with academic year with only online learning. Additionally, the CCBH urged for the suspension of fall school sports and extracurricular activities.

TA: We recommend that schools begin the 2021 school year remotely, we also recommend that schools suspend extracurricular activities such as sports or choir do to the elevated health risk to students, staff, and family members.
— Cuyahoga County (@CuyahogaCounty) July 31, 2020

“These are recommendations,” Commissioner Allan said. “We understand that school districts may need to make decisions that are appropriate for their individual school districts.”

BREAKING: The Board urged schools to cancel extracurriculars, and recommended they switch to fully remote learning to begin the school year.
Posted by Cleveland 19 News on Thursday, July 30, 2020

“Data on the spread of COVID-19 among kids continues to expand. Study’s have shown that kids can transmit the virus as well,” Allan added.

Parma, Fairview Park, Mayfield, Cleveland, and Beachwood school officials have already announced intentions to follow the recommendations from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

As of Friday, Cuyahoga County is classified as a “Red Alert Level 3″ area under Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System, signaling a high risk for spread of COVID-19.