COVID-19 cases are sharply increasing among school-age children in the Tri-Cities according to the Benton-Franklin Health District.
In a press conference on September 23, 2021, Dr. Amy Person announced that positive COVID cases are increasing rapidly among kids ages 5-19 years old.
She reported that school-age children make up 29% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Benton and Franklin counties since September 1, 2021.
Dr. Person also announced that since September 1, 2021 nearly 2% of kids ages 4-19 have tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Person said that despite the large increase in cases, they have not seen significant outbreaks in schools due to schools following safety measures.
"A majority of the cases that we see in school age children are where the children have been infected with COVID due to household contacts or contacts in outside community settings including sports teams and social gatherings," said Dr. Person.
Some of the precautions that schools here in the Tri-Cities are following include:
- Masking
- Maximizing distance
- Increasing ventilation
- Rapidly identifying cases
- Isolation and quarantine measures
Dr. Person said there are currently two active COVID outbreaks in schools, and another six that are under investigation.