Ohio Schools Must Implement COVID-19 Case Reporting Mechanism

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio schools must develop and implement a way to report COVID-19 cases among students to county boards of health, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday.

"After learning of a student or staff member who tested positive, K-12 schools must report that case to the local health department as quickly as possible," DeWine said. The Ohio Department of Health will issue an order making the reporting mechanism a requirement for Ohio schools.

Ohio schools will also be required to make information about positive COVID-19 tests publicly available. Parents and guardians will have to be informed in writing about any cases within a district.

Schools will have to disclose as much information about confirmed cases as possible, without releasing disclosed protected health information.

Local health departments will then share COVID-19 case data, by school, with the Ohio Department of Health. That information will be updated weekly on the state's website.

"Prompt reporting will help prevent potential further spread among students and staff. But remember: just because there is a case at a school, it doesn't mean the school has done anything wrong. The spread you see in the community will be reflected in the schools," DeWine said.