Sarasota County School District

The positivity rate for COVID-19 within Sarasota County dropped below 8% for three consecutive days, and masks are now optional. The mask requirement will reactivate if the positivity rate goes above 10%.

Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran says the Hillsborough, Sarasota, Orange and Duval districts are noncompliant with a health department rule triggered by a governor's ban on local mandates.

School officials worry that cases are beginning to spread inside schools, and that quarantine numbers will soon "explode."

Board members expressed concern about safely returning to in-person classes as pediatric COVID-19 cases reach peak levels in Sarasota County.

Among them: People with flu-like symptoms should stay home, simultaneous online instruction will no longer be offered, and quarantine policies are eased for those vaccinated.

The Sarasota Department of Health says the change is based on CDC guidance, which states that fully vaccinated people can resume normal activities.

The lawsuit wants to prevent Sarasota County Schools from compelling students to wear face masks - a requirement now for entering school.

The new policy allows for five-minute mask breaks throughout the day.

The Sarasota County School District currently requires all students and staff to wear face masks, unless they have a medical exemption.

Coronavirus rates have remained low in Florida since schools reopened in August, but with flu season approaching, experts say masks are more important than ever.