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Many younger El Paso students are set to return to classes on Tuesday for the first time in months. But they're going back at a time when people 19 and younger are making up the highest proportion yet of new COVID-19 cases in the county. 1/ https://elpasomatters.org/2021/01/17/children-account-for-1-in-5-new-covid-19-cases-in-el-paso/
Additionally, the data schools are asked to use for reopening decisions are confusing and perhaps flawed. Elementary schools can reopen when 20% or less of regional hospital beds are filled by COVID-19 patients. That rate currently is 18.7%, but ... 2/
That state calculation is based on its reports of 430 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties as of Saturday, even though El Paso alone is reporting 447 such hospitalizations. 3/
El Paso reports that COVID-19 patients have occupied 20% + of county hospital beds for 4 consecutive days. The reopening rubric created by the state includes hospital numbers from Culberson and Hudspeth counties, even though students from there don't attend El Paso schools. 4/
Our weekly COVID-19 update takes a look at the confusion over school reopening numbers and other local data. El Paso continues to do better in vaccinating its population than other Texas urban areas. https://elpasomatters.org/2021/01/17/children-account-for-1-in-5-new-covid-19-cases-in-el-paso/
