COVID-19 Updates
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This page is intended to be a source of information about COVID-19 and provide links to the most updated information on how it is impacting our West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) community.
Get COVID-19 Updates: To stay up-to-date with COVID-19-related updates from WDMCS, watch this web page and download the free WDMCS app on your phone (Google Play or App Store).
School and District News
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Board Approves Updated Return-to-Learn Plan (03/01/22)
The Board of Education approved recommended updates to the district's Return-to-Learn plan at its Feb. 28, 2022 regular meeting.
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Return-to-Learn Plans for Second Semester (12/14/2021)
Dec. 14, 2021 | In preparation for the second semester, WDMCS leadership updated the Return-to-Learn plan.
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WDMCS Offering COVID-19 Test Kits to Students (11/5/21)
We are excited to announce that West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) is now offering COVID-19 test kits to students who request them. These free test kits are provided through Test Iowa, a program offered through the Iowa Department of Public Health and the State of Iowa Hygienic Lab.
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WDMCS to Require Face Masks Indoors Starting Monday, Sept. 20 (09/16/21)
Sept. 16, 2021 | The West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) Board of Education approved an updated return-to-learn plan at a special meeting on Thursday, Sept. 16. WDMCS will require all individuals, including students, staff, and visitors, to wear face masks while indoors on WDMCS property, including buses, starting Monday, Sept. 20.
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2021-22 Return-to-Learn Plans Approved (08/12/21)
The West Des Moines Community Schools' Board of Education approved the 2021-22 Return-to-Learn plan at a special meeting held August 12, 2021.
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How Westridge Elementary Adapted to Coronavirus (06/01/2021)
June 1, 2021 | Fifth grade Westridge students Katherine Stone and Soleil Aldini take a look back at a unique year.
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General Overview
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. It is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How it SpreadsThe virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Learn more about how COVID-19 spreads
Symptoms of COVID-19
According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Delta Variant
According to the CDC, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is highly contagious, more than twice as contagious as previous variants.
The CDC says vaccines in the U.S. are highly effective — including against the Delta variant — and its research suggests that layered prevention strategies such as wearing face masks can help reduce transmission.
Learn more about the Delta Variant