Berrien County health department, school issue statement on recent increase in COVID-19 cases

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich.— Berrien County’s health department and school districts issued a letter on Thursday in the wake of an increase in COVID-19 case counts and a rise in the percent of positive tests and hospitalizations in the county.

In the letter, health department officials warned that if cases continue to trend upward, schools may be forced to implement additional protocols and restrictions to prevent the current rate of spread.

“These safety measures could mean the cancellation of extracurricular activities, including band and athletics, further limiting access to events and, in a worst-case scenario, forcing a shift to fully remote learning across our districts,” the letter said.

The letter ended with a plea from officials to the community to wear face masks, practice social distancing and regularly wash hands.

Read the full letter signed by health department officials and local districts’ superintendents: