New Hanover County Schools reported 100 cases of Covid-19 the week of Feb. 1-5.
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. New Hanover County Schools reported 100 cases of Covid-19 among its students and staff the week of Feb. 1-5, including 12 individuals at Isaac Bear Early College High, according to the district’s reporting.
A total of 205 people are quarantining after being exposed to the virus at NHCS locations.
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Since NHCS launched its reporting dashboard which is where Port City Daily obtains data for its weekly updates the school system has been met with skepticism about the accuracy of its reporting. Administrators said the school system only posts cases that are self-reported by parents to the schools, which means some positive tests are unreported.
N.C. Governor Roy Cooper announced Feb. 2 that all N.C. schools should reopen in Plan A, as Covid-19 number decrease. (Port City Daily/File)
On Tuesday, Gov. Cooper urged all 115 school districts across North Carolina to resume in-person learning in grades K-12 this month. He pointed to data and science released recently as promising and safe for students, teachers and staff to return to classrooms: K-5 in Plan A, and middle and high school in Plan B.
“We’ve learned much more about this virus since last March,” Cooper said. “It’s time to get our children back in the classroom.”
(Port City Daily photo/file)
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. Ninety-seven staff and students in New Hanover County Schools tested positive for Covid-19 this week, including 20 individuals at Laney High School. One hundred and five people were assigned to quarantine for exposure within the buildings, according to the
Trask Middle, Murray Middle, Murrayville Elementary and New Hanover High are all reporting five or more cases this week.
In emails, spokespeople for NHCS and New Hanover County stated there are no identified clusters at this time. A cluster is confirmed when health officials determine five or more cases are linked by time or proximity, but Kate Oelslager, New Hanover County communications and outreach coordinator, said in an email the Covid-19 cases originated through contacts and events outside of the schools.
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Some NC schools have begun vaccinating staff; What s Henderson County s plan?
While most teachers have to wait for their COVID-19 shots, a few districts have offered vaccines to their staff.
Brian Gordon
USA TODAY Network
With many North Carolina teachers still weeks, if not months, away from receiving COVID-19 vaccines, a few districts have already helped give shots to hundreds of staff members.
Jackson County Public Schools in Western North Carolina dismissed students early Jan. 22 so staff could get vaccinated. Since last week, public school employees in Rutherford County, Swain County and Union County received their first vaccine doses as well. In the Triad, Davie County Schools will make shots available to employees on Wednesday.