Three US school districts canceled in-person learning this week due to Covid and other illnesses. Two Kentucky school districts announced in-person cancellations for this week, citing an increase in illness among staff and students.
All Magoffin County Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday. According to school administrators, attendance has been quite low over the past week and the closure was caused by a combination of illnesses, including Covid and influenza.
The Lee County School District has announced illness-related closures for Tuesday and Wednesday and non-traditional instructional days for Thursday and Friday. Officials claimed the closure was prompted by a rise in respiratory illnesses in recent days and a sharp decline in attendance.
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- Covid forces schools to cancel face-to-face classes
- How are the Covid-19 figures going across the country?
- What do you need to know about how to protect yourself?
- Across the country, test scores are down
Covid forces schools to cancel face-to-face classes
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Scott Lockard, director of public health for the Kentucky River District Health Department, which serves Lee County and six other counties in eastern Kentucky, said since the pandemic began, overall illnesses have increased when schools reopen and people return to large gatherings. “
There was a lot of illness in the county and the absenteeism rate increased to the point where the school system felt it warranted closure,” Lockard told USA TODAY.
So far, laboratory test results from eastern Kentucky have verified positive Covid results, but no influenza infections. On the other hand, Lockard emphasized that respiratory infections, in general, are a concern, as the symptoms often overlap with those of Covid.
Also, tests are less available; many have turned to home tests. Therefore, laboratory results often emphasize the severity of the disease. According to ABC News, the Runge Independent School District in South Texas serves 195 children and has scheduled a week-long closure due to illness.
Currently, ten of the district’s 43 staff members have tested positive for symptoms, according to the district’s online Covid tracker.
How are the Covid-19 figures going across the country?
Case data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is several weeks out of date and no longer records Covid infections nationwide. Most Americans test themselves at home and don’t report the results.
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However, on Monday, more than a quarter of wastewater testing sites showed a significant increase in virus levels over the previous two weeks. The CDC has reported 1.1 million deaths and 6.3 million hospitalizations from Covid.
In the most recent week of data, the agency noted a 21.4% increase in deaths and a 21.6% increase in hospital admissions.
According to the CDC, hospital admissions for coronavirus are expected to increase in the coming weeks.
What do you need to know about how to protect yourself?
While some used to brag about fighting the flu to get to work, Lockard says it’s no longer a point of pride. He stated that social isolation and staying at home when symptoms occur is an effective prophylactic measure.
Frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer, and covering your cough are precautions you can take to protect yourself and others. Lockard also recommended staying up to date on Covid and flu vaccinations.
RSV vaccines are also available for select groups.
Across the country, test scores are down
Earlier this year, USA TODAY reported on how chronic school absenteeism hampered learning even as mass pandemic-related lockdowns were lifted.
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The attendance debate arises when children face new learning problems after prolonged closures. According to results announced in May, nearly all of the nation’s eighth graders fell behind in US history and civics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, better known as the Nation Report.
Last year compared to 2018. In the same year, reading and math performance among fourth- and eighth-grade students fell across the country.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn