McCook schools reports 21 active COVID cases

McCOOK, Neb. — There are 21 active cases of COVID-19 at McCook Public Schools, representing 1.33% of the school district's population.

The majority of active COVID-19 cases are at McCook Junior High, with 17 cases and one recovered case, according to the MPS COVID-19 Tracker on the school’s website. At McCook Elementary, there are four active cases and one recovered case.

No active or recovered cases are reported at McCook Senior High and Central Elementary.

MPS COVID-10 Tracker is updated every school day and can be found at mccookbison.org under “Services,” Health and Wellness.

MPS has risk assessment dials for each school building in the district, starting at “low” and increasing to moderate, elevated and pandemic.

If the Risk Dial reaches the “elevated” level at a building, students may be required to wear masks. If a school building reaches the “pandemic” level, students may begin co-horting, or possibly even engaging in virtual/online learning. Parents will be notified with instructions when changes to school operations are made and if mandates are put in place. 

The risk dial for McCook Junior High at elevated and for McCook Elementary, moderate. McCook Senior High and Central Elementary are at low.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) no longer uses a risk assessment dial. SWNPHD decided to follow the Governor’s risk assessment, which is based on the number of individuals in the hospitals state-wide.

McCook Public Schools decided that it is in the best interests of students and staff to continue to use the standard risk dial because it focuses on the conditions that exist within the district.