Students on the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) early start calendar will no longer be required to wear masks in class, the district announced Thursday evening.
For the first time in over a month, Milwaukee County dropped its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid-19 community level to medium on Thursday.
Under MPS' new Covid-19 policy, masks are now optional for all staff and students from Aug. 19 to Aug. 25.
The CDC's community levels are determined by Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.
According to Dr. Ben Weston, the chief health policy advisor of Milwaukee County, hospitalizations remain high, but cases are just below the threshold.
UPDATE: For the 1st time in over a month, #Milwaukee County will today lower our #CDC #COVID19 Community Level to medium🟡
— Ben Weston MD MPH 😷 💉 (@BenWWeston) August 18, 2022
Hospitalizations remain high (13.7/100K) but case are just below the threshold (195/100K).
This reflects a broader national decline in cases.
But...
1/2 pic.twitter.com/8ss1jozGZm
"This reflects a broader national decline in cases," Dr. Weston tweeted. "But remember that low testing means low recorded cases."
RELATED COVERAGE: Milwaukee Public Schools masks optional unless CDC high transmission
MPS students went back to class Monday and have been wearing masks because Milwaukee County was in the high transmission category.
The Milwaukee Public School Board discussed its mask policies and Covid-19 safety measures at a meeting Thursday, July 28. School leaders decided to align their new masking policy with the CDC's community levels tool. MPS leaders said they will update whether masks will be optional every Friday. TMJ4 News broke down the new plan for students and staff here.
Dr. Weston reminded the public Thursday to stay cautious and up to date on vaccines and boosters.
For more information on MPS' latest update, visit thedistrict's website.