A look at COVID-19 cases in schools
COVID-19 confirmed positive cases and close contact quarantine numbers of students and staff in local school districts has been a hot topic lately. The most recent reported data from Davidson County Schools, Lexington City Schools, and Thomasville City Schools is detailed below.
Davidson County Schools began the 2021-22 school year with masks being optional. With the rapid and high influx of positive cases amongst students and staff, the DCS board reversed their decision on August 23 mandating masks. Lexington City Schools and Thomasville City Schools have mandated masks since the beginning of the school year. How do these numbers compare?
Davidson County Schools most recent chart, from August 21 thru August 27 reports the following: Out of 37 schools, 272 students were identified as confirmed positive, with 1,447 students required to quarantine as a result of exposure in school. Additionally, 47 staff members tested positive, and 22 staff are quarantined.
*1.6% total confirmed positive
This morning, DCS announced North Davidson High School’s JV and Varsity football games have been canceled. Practice has also been suspended. No additional information is available at this time.
Thomasville City Schools has five schools. Their report is updated weekly, on Mondays. Currently, their COVID-19 data disclosed 12 students and four staff members have tested positive and are currently in isolation. (Numbers for those identified as close contact are not displayed.)
*%0.6 total confirmed positive
Lexington City Schools COVID-19 data is updated weekly. Out of the seven schools, reports show that 157 students were directed to quarantine due to close contact with 44 students confirmed positive. There are 30 staff members in quarantine, and 11 have tested positive for the virus.
*1.65% total confirmed positive
Dr. Anitra D. Wells, LCS superintendent, shared the Lexington Senior High School football team is currently in quarantine. Wells stated, "Several of them have been vaccinated and are expected back in school this week. We currently have 17 football players who have tested positive. Lexington City Schools work hard to be as transparent with information as possible."
*numbers for total of students and total of staff members is based on the information on nces.ed.gov, which was used to determine percentages.
For weekly updated Covid-19 data reports visit the following websites:
Davidson County Schools: https://www.davidson.k12.nc.us/
Thomasville City Schools: https://www.tcs.k12.nc.us/apps/pages/COVID-19
Lexington City Schools: COVID-19 data isn’t available on the LCS website.
