The Lexington R-5 School District has been monitoring its data regarding COVID-19 and revisiting its masking requirement every 30 days.

According to a press release, administrators say based recent district data indicating a decline in the positivity and quarantine rates, the district has changed its masking regulation from required to recommended, with a set threshold to return to required masking if needed. The guidance from the CDC, DHSS and LCHD remains the same, recommending masks in schools. The district’s new language will match the language of those organizations.

The change takes affect on Monday, November 22. All other district protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place as indicated in the district’s “Safe Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Services Plan”- which includes frequent handwashing, social distancing, cohort groups, assigned seats, etc.

Due to a federal mandate, masks are required to be worn on school buses at all times.

Administrators say the district will continue to monitor and report data at the end of each week. The district return to masking threshold has been set at 5 percent. Any building in which the number of student positives/quarantine reaches or exceeds 5 percent of enrollment will be required to mask until the numbers drop below the threshold for two consecutive weeks. Administrators say the district does not currently have any buildings at this threshold.

This change will impact contact tracing; as if unmasked exposure is defined as being within six feet of a person being diagnosed with COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more throughout a 24-hour period, starting from two days before the onset of illness. The modified quarantine guidance for schools will not apply unless both the positive case and close contact are masked. Vaccinated individuals who are exposed must monitor for symptoms, but are not required to quarantine unless symptoms develop, per the CDC, DHSS and LCHD guidelines.