Here is the agenda for today: 
@Pash_DC says we are in the middle of a winter surge. Good news: Hospitalization rate is low at 2.6%, vax rate creeps up-- currently at 65.8% full vaccinated.
@Pash_DC Through Dec, hospital capacity has stayed stable (green)
ICU beds (orange) fluctuate, but there is still enough availability. Ventilators (blue) have also stayed stable.
Rates have gone up, but mostly due to sheer volume of cases
Rates have gone up, but mostly due to sheer volume of cases
No significant changes in demographics of hospitalized patients so far
COVID is hitting hospitals hard in terms of staffing. More traveling nurses, which costs more for hospitals. Grants for hospitals to cover these staffing costs.
Need to bring boost rates up. Still v important for 65+ to get boosted, as this is pop most vulnerable to hospitalization and death. .
Seniors DO NOT have to wait in line for booster:
DC is leading the nation in testing. Over 108k rapid test kits have been distributed (kits contain 2 tests)
Rapid testing will be available at firehouses this week:
Updated guidelines. MAKE SURE YOU REPORT YOUR RESULTS ONLINE coronavirus.dc.gov/overthecounter
More on updated guidance:
Note that guidance for vax vs unvax is slightly different:
If you need help with groceries or social benefits, visit districtdirect.dc.gov
Up next: @dcpublicschools return to school, with @DCPSChancellor
The best place for children is still school. Goal is to keep ALL classrooms open but in a way that keeps staff and families safe. All safety measures (masking, HVAC, asymptomatic testing, cleaning) remain in place. More at dcpsreopenstrong.com
However, if these virtual transitions have to happen, they will be implemented over the next weeks. Will need to pivot over a span of 10 calendar days.
More on that possible pivot, which will happen focusing on specific classrooms. Decisions will be posted each evening by 8 p.m.
15 sites will be meal pickup sites and there will be additional plans in place should classrooms need to go virtual
ALL DCPS staff and students will need to produce a negative test before returning to school in 2022. There will be access to KN95 masks for all staff in the coming year.
Staff reports on 1/3 and 1/4 to pick up a test. Students will also pick up a test and hopefully have ALL results uploaded by 1/4, 4 pm. Otherwise, student will NOT be allowed at school.
Students are REQUIRED to report their negative test by 1/4 4pm to DCPS.dc.gov/safereturn
Call 202-442-5885 for technical assistance.
Call 202-442-5885 for technical assistance.
Additional guidance on children's test results:
There will be a tele town hall for additional procedures, which will be announced soon. This is a breakdown below of how school COVID cases are reported
Reminder: @DCDPW will collect your holiday tree/greenery where your garbage gets picked up. Make sure it's unadorned
Guidance on New Year's Eve:
Guidance on New Year's Eve:
#FITDC is all virtual, so there will be no one congregation point and time, but you can still register and pick up a t-shirt and bib here: fitdcfreshstart5k.com
DCPS will be closed/virtual on a case-by-case basis, not by number of cases but by number of specific cases.
How many staff impacted? 650 staff have tested positive in nov-dec (60 at end of Dec)
Any campuses not returning 1/5? Won't know until all testing is complete/collected
How many staff impacted? 650 staff have tested positive in nov-dec (60 at end of Dec)
Any campuses not returning 1/5? Won't know until all testing is complete/collected
Charters are also participating in the testing and reporting on 1/3 and 1/4.
Hard to uphold the mask mandate with kids who may be rebellious. Strategies to help w/protocols?
Staff will have KN95s upon return. Reminders across system for both kids and adults to fully cover nose. Ferebee has seen high compliance but reminders are necessary.
Staff will have KN95s upon return. Reminders across system for both kids and adults to fully cover nose. Ferebee has seen high compliance but reminders are necessary.
Have learned lessons about best time to produce a good asymptomatic test sample.
Status of substitute teachers?
Increase in applicant pool, especially with retiree incentives. Have added support, as well as screening central office staff to sub. Large demand exceeds present pool.
Increase in applicant pool, especially with retiree incentives. Have added support, as well as screening central office staff to sub. Large demand exceeds present pool.
It's challenging to get 90k results turned in, but necessary. Have to look at the data and make decisions.
Why was this massive collection determined to be the best course of action?
District has been aggressive and emphasized testing. Important to have access to rapid testing.
Best assurance to know that staff/students in building have tested negative.
District has been aggressive and emphasized testing. Important to have access to rapid testing.
Best assurance to know that staff/students in building have tested negative.
Expect that we will be in this winter surge through a while and have to keep vigilance through January as to who is allowed in building, etc
Working with vendors where it may be determined that a school needs a larger sample of students to be tested to determine re-opening.
Hospitalization data is particular to COVID-19. There is a "sheer volume of cases" --and yet, number is low and will continue to get lower.
The requirement is specifically DCPS, but not all charter schools are making it a requirement, though ALL SCHOOLS are testing.
Logistics of school-- how will they be admitted into school? What will Jan 5 look like?
Ferebee: Weighed decision and feel it's important to "elevate this surveillance." Important that every family tests. May need to turn students away.
Ferebee: Weighed decision and feel it's important to "elevate this surveillance." Important that every family tests. May need to turn students away.
There will be test kits available on Wed Jan 5 as well-- but focus is on Monday and Tuesday to provide students and staff with kits. It's a big ask, so please do it ahead of time to relieve pressure from principals (and support staff!!!)
As soon as students take test and it is NEGATIVE, students will be allowed to come into school.
(As with other replies, it seems the protocol will be unique at every single DCPS school, so prepare accordingly)
(As with other replies, it seems the protocol will be unique at every single DCPS school, so prepare accordingly)
Re: Why are cases in DC region so high?
Mayor laughs, says "I don't know"
@Pash_DC says-- looking into it and will "continue to learn from this"
Mayor laughs, says "I don't know"
@Pash_DC says-- looking into it and will "continue to learn from this"
Still reviewing but have not published CDC guidance as DC guidance. On Monday they published specific guidance to health care workers. Get public guidance does not apply to specific cases. Schools/kids guidance has not changed.
Why should you report a rapid test result?
Need to know who's testing, who has COVID and who doesn't.
Need to know who's testing, who has COVID and who doesn't.
Re: vax card and results
No guidance yet but will move to do something like that
No guidance yet but will move to do something like that
How will 1/3 and 1/4 be made up?
Per OSSE, those two days will be waived and will not need to be made up.
Re: Nat'l Guard request for assembling kits
Approved, may start today
Per OSSE, those two days will be waived and will not need to be made up.
Re: Nat'l Guard request for assembling kits
Approved, may start today
KN95 masks will be available to staff. Surgical masks will continue to be available to students who do not come to school with masks.
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