Due to a rising positivity rate for COVID-19, York County has once again been designated “yellow” under the state’s color-coded risk assessment system, to guide schools during the pandemic.
The yellow designation signals schools to take extra precautions, such as limiting the numbers of people in buildings and moving to hybrid learning.
Also designated yellow are Androscoggin, Franklin, Washington and Somerset counties, where case rates continue to rise.
Knox County has now returned to a “green” designation with all remaining counties, as its recent new case rate has fallen below the state average.
Maine health officials continue to closely monitor all 16 of Maine’s counties, with special vigilance in Cumberland, Hancock and Kennebec counties, as the pandemic continues to surge.
In a Maine Department of Education release, state officials write that COVID-19 risk in schools remains “relatively low” and that research done elsewhere suggests that school closures would hold more harm for students.
Risk to schools will be reassessed on Dec. 4.
