4,000+ students in Mississippi schools have been quarantined
Hundreds of Mississippi students tested positive for the coronavirus last week and more than 4,000 students and hundreds of teachers and staff were quarantined after possible exposure to COVID-19.
The flood of positive cases is forcing schools to move to virtual learning again, including six public schools in Lamar County on Tuesday, which had the largest number of infected students the week of from Aug. 2-6.
In what was the kickoff week of the 2021-22 school year for many districts, students in 38 of 43 counties reporting data to the Mississippi State Department of Health tested positive for COVID-19. Students were quarantined in 41 of those counties, the data shows. There are 82 counties in the state.
Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 6, 943 students and 296 teachers and staff tested positive for COVID-19. There were 69 coronavirus outbreaks since the start of the month, according to the data.
Oak Grove Middle School in Lamar County had the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases from Aug. 2-6, reporting 44 infections. Oak Grove and Purvis high schools went virtual on Aug. 2. On Aug. 3, less than two weeks after classes began, Oak Grove Middle School switched to virtual learning. Masks are now required in all LCSD schools until at least Aug. 15.
The school system announced Tuesday Purvis Middle School, Sumrall High School, Lumberton Elementary School, Oak Grove Upper Elementary School, Longleaf Elementary School and Sumrall Middle School will begin virtual classes today.
Magee High School in Simpson County reported 426 students in quarantine last week and began virtual school Monday. According to the Simpson County School District website, mask-wearing is required by students and personnel.
Forrest County Agricultural High School moved to a virtual learning schedule on Aug. 6 due to a number of COVID-19 outbreaks on campus, and the district, along with five others in the Pine Belt, have now implemented mask mandates, including Hattiesburg Public School District, Jones County School District, Forrest County School District and Laurel School District.
While a handful of Mississippi-based health organizations have endorsed universal mask-wearing for K-12 students and staff, there is no statewide mask mandate for schools. Instead, districts are left to decide whether students, teachers and staff will have mask-wearing requirements.
According to the health department's K-12 schools guidance, quarantine requirements vary depending on symptoms and vaccination status. The following options apply:
● Students, teachers and staff who are not fully vaccinated and are identified as a close contact to someone who tests positive for the coronavirus should quarantine for 14 days.
● 10-day option: Quarantine can end after 10 days if the close contact has no symptoms during the 10-day period.
● Seven-day plus test option: If the person has no symptoms for seven days and has a negative COVID-19 test collected on Day 5, 6, or 7 of the quarantine period, the quarantine period can be discontinued after seven days.
● Fully vaccinated students, teachers and staff do not require quarantine after contact with an infected person.