Districts officials say 541 students and 9 staff members have been quarantined due to potential exposure to the virus. | Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
Districts officials say 541 students and 9 staff members have been quarantined due to potential exposure to the virus. | Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
The Kershaw County school district reported a COVID-19 outbreak within the last week, with more than 100 students and 20 staff members testing positive for the virus.
WCSC News reported that according to the school district’s online coronavirus dashboard, 113 students and 19 staff members have tested positive since Aug. 5. Of those pupils, 48 are elementary students, 31 are middle school students, and 34 are high school students.
“Kershaw Co. schools report 116 students & 20 staff members tested #COVID19 positive, with majority of cases 'impacting elementary schools.' 1 week before @CityofColumbia schools open & students are testing positive,” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin tweeted Aug. 12. "We must do more to protect our children.”
Districts officials also say 541 students and nine staff members have been quarantined due to potential exposure to the virus.
The school district can allow up to 550 students to attend class virtually, but only roughly 250 students are learning remotely, according to ABC Columbia News.
Ninety-five percent of Kershaw County students is attending school in person, but the county reports that they are short on teachers.
According to the Kershaw County School District, the county remains under a mask mandate prohibition, therefore masks for students will be optional for students, staff and visitors.
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