The overall number of positive cases of COVID-19 affecting staff and students in Las Cruces Public Schools has hit an all-time low since classes resumed Jan. 10 for the spring semester. Despite the downward trend, the state mandate on masks remains in effect.
Numbers posted on the LCPS dashboard Wednesday morning show one percent of the district’s total population tested positive for the virus in the last two weeks. That number represents 281 total cases among more than 28,000 students and staff and is not indicative of those who have since recovered.
“Everything we are doing – cleaning protocols, surveillance testing, and other COVID-safe practices – is an effort to keep our school communities safe,” said LCPS Superintendent Ralph Ramos. “These are the numbers we want to see if we want to move toward the environment we all remember pre-pandemic.”
Ramos said previous restrictions put in place at district-sponsored events, like a suspension of concession sales and indoor capacity limits, could be lifted for spring sports. Other mandates, like mask usage, will remain in place for now.
“Mask fatigue is something many of us are experiencing right now,” added Ramos, who said his office has received calls from parents asking about the status on masks. “We are still required to follow the state’s public health order that says masks are required indoors. Until that changes, masks will have to stay on.”
A copy of the current public health order in New Mexico can be reviewed here. According to the governor, it remains in effect until March 11, 2022. Las Cruces Public Schools updates positive cases in the district at www.lcps.net.
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