Between Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, the reported number of cases and exposures in Leander ISD increased by about 96% and 92%, respectively. The district updates coronavirus exposures and cases each weekday on its COVID-19 dashboard.
There were 855 new exposures and 47 new cases last week, according to data finalized Nov. 13. This represents 27.7% of all exposures and 35.6% of all district cases this school year. There were 19,495 students on campuses last week, according to the district.
Original post: 12:43 p.m. Nov. 12
Leander ISD is not planning campus closures or a return to only virtual learning at this time, according to the district, despite the fact that Williamson County and Cities Health District rose to a high spread risk level Nov. 11.
“We continue to monitor the rise in cases in Williamson County, the state, and the nation. At this time, we are committed to staying open as long as possible and reinforcing the health response protocols: hand washing, staying home when sick, quarantining, masks, physical distancing when possible, and socially connecting while being safe,” the school district said in a statement.
The WCCHD previously was at a moderate spread risk level. In its school reopening guidelines, the health district recommends only virtual or remote learning under the "orange" high-spread level. Leander ISD has not made any decisions to switch learning styles or change extracurricular activities yet.
LISD is located in Travis and Williamson counties and considers recommendations from both counties’ health districts. If the district makes a decision to close a campus, advance notice would be given through the regular communication channels, such as texts, email, social media, Remind messages and campus-level communication, according to the district.
As of 12:30 p.m. Nov. 12, LISD has reached a new record for exposure and case totals for the week, with 445 new exposures and 24 new positive cases. The new exposures include 434 students and 11 employees. The new cases include 19 students and five employees.
Schools with positive cases for the current week are Bagdad Elementary, Block House Creek Elementary, Cedar Park High, Cypress Elementary, Danielson Middle, Four Points Middle, Giddens Elementary, Glenn High, Henry Middle, Knowles Elementary, Larkspur Elementary, Parkside Elementary, Reagan Elementary, Rouse High, Vista Ridge High and Winkley Elementary. One case is from a non-campus location.
Updates and more information on school cases and exposures can be found on the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard.
Leander ISD's Cedar Park High School football team has postponed its next two games, against Pflugerville and Weiss high schools, due to a COVID-19 case. The only other LISD football game affected this season was Vandegrift vs. Round Rock Stony Point, which was postponed to after Thanksgiving because Stony Point's team was quarantined.
At the high spread level, the WCCHD recommend avoiding gatherings of more than five people and to avoid or postpone large events. For more information on this spread risk level, click here.
Ali Linan contributed to this report.
