The Monroe County Health Department plans to hire a COVID-19 school liaison this semester. The position will monitor virus cases in MCCSC and Richland-Bean Blossom schools and assist with pandemic procedures such as quarantine and isolation.
The liaison position is required as part of a $440,000 federal grant via the Indiana Department of Health. Monroe County received the grant Dec. 14 to help support local schools in their COVID-19 responses. The temporary position is funded for one year, with the possibility of being extended another year.
“We need to get this person on board and getting after this,” councilor Marty Hawk said. “And so congratulations to the health department for even receiving this wonderful grant.”
The Monroe County Council unanimously approved creating the position Tuesday after the council’s personnel administration committee supported it Dec. 14.
The state reported 6,562 new COVID-19 cases among students last week, as well as 686 new teacher cases. Additionally, there were 884 new staff positive cases.
In total, 68,842 students have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
