This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Masks again required in Juneau schools

Announcement follows a change in CDC COVID-19 community level.

Masks are again required indoors in Juneau School District facilities, the district announced on Saturday.

The move follows the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changing Juneau’s COVID-19 community level from low to high.

COVID-19 community level is a tool available on the CDC’s website that takes into account the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied and the total number of new COVID-19 cases over the past seven days within a community.

Under a policy approved by the Juneau School District Board of Education, on April 4 masking in most situations became optional in school facilities. However, under that policy, masking is required if the City and Borough of Juneau or CDC risk levels shift to high or modified high. A special school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday to review the policy.

The CDC uptakes their alert level weekly which means masks will be required at least through the next week.

In April, there have been 56 COVID-19 cases within the district, according to district data. Those cases include 10 in the past week. There were 64 cases last month, according to district data, and 144 in February.

City and Borough of Juneau’s alert level remains at Level 1-minimum.

• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.

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