Southern Pines Elementary School will shift all of its students to virtual learning for the next two weeks in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 after two confirmed instances of virus transmission among students within the school. Another three to five cases of in-school secondary transmission are suspected, and three Southern Pines Elementary classrooms are on active quarantine. A total of 11 students and three staff members have tested positive since school resumed after the holiday break. Moore County Schools announced on Friday afternoon that the school campus will be closed to students beginning Monday through Feb. 5. A statement from Superintendent Bob Grimesey on Friday said that positive coronavirus cases and associated quarantines have created âdifficulty in maintaining day-to-day operations,â and that the Moore County Health Department supports the districtâs decision to close the school.