Weekly reports of the number of COVID-19 cases in Fayette County public schools will now include totals for individual schools. Before Jan. 8, the system was only noting the total number of cases and quarantines for students and staff, citing privacy concerns. But now that the numbers have risen in recent weeks, the school system is publishing more specific data. Statistics released on Jan. 8 showed 488 positive and quarantined cases among Fayette students and staff.
The most individuals testing positive and/or quarantined were found at McIntosh High with 64, J.C. Booth Middle with 36, and Starr’s Mill High with 35. Braelinn, Crabapple Lane, Sara Harp Minter and Peeples elementary schools all had 20 cases or more, as did Fayette County and Sandy Creek high schools; the vast majority were students. Superintendent Jonathan Patterson called the numbers “concerning to us all,” and noted that the availability of healthy teachers will be a factor in school operations. School nurses are scheduled to be vaccinated this week.
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