The most recent COVID-19 variant, designated as Omicron, has been found to have the capability to rapidly spread among large populations incredibly fast and is doing so in Colorado. According to CPR News, as of January 12, 2022 nearly 30% of all COVID-19 tests are resulting positive for Omicron. This data does not include at-home-tests, which are highly likely to be testing positive in record numbers as well.

Omicron, a much more contagious variant, is tearing through both civilians and the medical workforce. As of January 13, 2022, almost 22% of all hospital beds are occupied by suspected COVID-19 patients (Colorado GOV); however, this number might not be directly correlated to the Omicron surge, as it has been found to be presenting as a much less severe illness, specifically for vaccinated individuals (Nat Geo).

Jeffco Public Schools is also reacting to the surge, yet they are strenuously attempting to keep students across the district in schools. In a recent press release, Jeffco Public Schools established a new strategy for how to approach Omicron. This strategy focuses on the absence rate for teachers in the district, in which a 25% threshold has been implemented. If this threshold is surpassed, the specific school with >25% administrative absence rate will have to complete a two week full-remote closure. 

The press release also stated that the district has complete goals of staging full in-person learning. Yet, they stressed that in case of a shutdown, they hope that those affected can be prepared. One of the main struggles that the schools are enduring is effective communication between students and administrations in relation to their symptoms and results of their actual tests.

With regards to Dakota Ridge High School and the student body, it can be expected that the COVID guidelines and restrictions will not be lifted soon. Amy Doolittle, the school nurse, has been tracking the COVID situation within the school and its outreaches. 

“The rates are concerning, but not unexpected. This time of year is usually the highest for communicable disease outbreaks as we spend the majority of our time indoors.  It would be nice to see them decline as this virus has been hard on the community,” Doolittle said.

Doolittle also stated that she has not found the school to be a major source of outbreak for the new variant, stressing the idea that cases arise from any general contact.

“Our goal is to keep healthy students in school and to continue to use mitigation practices to prevent an increase in COVID cases.  We work very closely with JCPH to learn additional ways to stop the spread of this virus.  So far, I have made no direct classroom links to the January spike,” Doolittle said. 

As Omicron cases continue to rise, there are still many things the student and faculty at Dakota Ridge can do to stay in-person and healthy. 

“Wash hands with soap and water before touching your face or food.  Clean contact surfaces often with warm soapy water or another product that kills viruses,” Doolittle said. “Stay home when you are sick with any symptoms (headache, sore throat, body aches, chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, runny or stuffy nose).”