Maine CDC working closely with DOE on re-opening plans for fall

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - A lot of people are questioning whether kids will head back to school in the fall and how they could do so safely.

Will classes be in-person, online, or a combination of both?

The Maine CDC is working closely with the Department of Education.

The DOE recently announced a draft framework for sending kids to school, under various scenarios.

In Thursday’s Maine CDC briefing, Dr. Nirav Shah was asked what happens if a student at school were to test positive for coronavirus?

“Schools themselves should have the basics of a plan in place for what they would do and how they would communicate, let’s say with parents and staff, if they were to detect a case and how they would rapidly move to isolate students. Things of that nature.”

Doctor Shah said if a student were to test positive, the CDC would tailor their response - as they do with any health care facility.

He also says Maine CDC is recommending that face coverings and social distancing be part of the DOE’s return-to-classroom guidelines.