LORAIN, Ohio — Lorain City Schools began requiring masks on Thursday after it’s board of education voted unanimously to require all students and staff to wear face coverings while in buildings.
Lorain Schools will require masks for at least the next eight weeks.
The district started school last week and immediately reported an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The district said that as of Wednesday, 24 students and eight staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus. In total, 48 students are under quarantine.
The district said that 30 of the 48 cases have been linked to outside the district. Fourteen of the 48 cases were linked to within school buildings with school cafeterias being the area of highest exposure. Lorain Schools said that it is developing a plan to address the issue.
Prior to Wednesday’s vote, students younger than age 12 were required to wear masks. Face coverings were optional for ages 12 and older.
The district said that staff who are vaccinated may remove masks during teaching. The district will also allow students to remove masks while eating, drinking, participating in band or physical activity.
Lorain City Schools added that it has seen an increase in demand for vaccinations.
