Montgomery County health officials are investigating coronavirus outbreaks at several private schools in the county. Many private schools are holding in-person classes, contrary to the guidance of county officials.

“We currently have, I think, seven ongoing investigations that involve non-public schools that have cases,” said County Health Officer Travis Gayles at a press briefing Thursday.

So far this fall, Gayles said, his staff has investigated a total of approximately 13 schools, and has quarantined two groups of students who may have been exposed. He declined to name the schools due to privacy concerns and the ongoing nature of investigations.

Public schools in Montgomery County are conducting all-virtual classes, and plan to continue doing so through at least January, but private schools were allowed to open, after a quarrel between county and state health officials. First, on Aug. 5, Gayles issued an order prohibiting private schools from opening for in-person classes. The next day, State Health Secretary Robert Neall issued an order of his own, banning localities from blanket closures of private schools.

“The State of Maryland’s position is that all schools, including public school systems and non-public schools, be provided with the individualized opportunity to determine how they are able to comply with the federal and state COVID-19 guidance to reopen safely and protect students and staff,” Neall wrote.

Later that same day Gayles grudgingly rescinded his order.

“I, Travis A. Gayles, M.D., Ph.D., Health Officer for Montgomery County, Maryland, despite believing that it is necessary to close nonpublic schools for in person instruction to protect the public, do hereby, pursuant to the Aug. 6, 2020, Memorandum issued by the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, rescind the Aug. 5, 2020, Health Officer Directive Regarding Nonpublic Schools,” Gayles wrote.

After rescinding the prohibition on opening, Gayles continued to “strongly advise schools against in-person learning due to the risks posed by COVID-19,” according to a press release at the time.

Gayles said the protocol for investigating private school COVID-19 cases is the same as for public schools. Under state regulations, all schools must report any cases to the local health department, which then conducts a contact tracing investigation.

Gayles said that based on the results of that investigation, county officials then determine the appropriate action for each school, which could include, “closing a classroom, cleaning a building, or closing an entire school for the time needed for a full quarantine and isolation.”