The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia Department of Education released an update to the County Alert System map that determines what schools will be learning remotely for the upcoming.
Two counties are orange according the updated map, Boone and Monongalia counties. This means these cannot return to in person instruction, competitions, or sports practice.
An orange label now indicates the county has from 15 to 24.9 cases per 100,000 people on a seven-day rolling average. Previously, before the change last Tuesday, the label orange meant a county had over 10 cases per 100,000.
Three counties – Logan, Wyoming, and Ohio - are labeled gold.
The Logan County Board of Education delayed any decision on in-person instruction.
The board previously adopted a blended learning model in anticipation of school beginning earlier this month. The blended model provided for smaller classes attending in-person two days a week and utilizing virtual learning the other days.
The color gold was added to the map Tuesday which gives school districts the opportunity to decide on in-person instruction and sports conditioning. These counties have elevated community spread at 10 to 14.9 cases per 100,000 people or a 5% or less positivity rate for the county.
Mingo County moved from gold on Thursday to red on Friday.
Officials say any county in red is experiencing high community transmission. Under these conditions, all in-person instruction is suspended and remote learning plans are to be activated. Staff will provide essential support services, including meals, student engagement, and special education. All sports activities and competition will also be halted.
