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Local school districts head back to class as COVID cases surge

By AccessWDUN staff
Posted 5:25PM on Friday 31st December 2021 ( 2 years ago )

Just before Thanksgiving, the world learned about the omicron variant of COVID-19. At that time, the new variant had only been detected in South Africa. By Dec. 6, omicron had made its way into the state of Georgia, and now it is the most prevalent variant of coronavirus in the state and the country. 

Currently, local school districts are in the final days of Christmas break, ready to open up classrooms next week as COVID case numbers surge.

By all accounts, omicron is more fast-spreading than delta, but the health impact is not as severe.

Dr. Jeremy Williams, Superintendent of Gainesville City Schools, released a statement Thursday, asking teachers and staff to keep contact with each other to a minimum when they return to work on Monday, Jan. 3. 

"The largest threat to educating our students is not having personnel available to serve," Williams said. "Let us be extremely protective and cautious as we come together after 2 weeks off."
 
Williams said a return to mandatory masking is possible.
 
"While no decision will be made until early next week, reinstating masks for all is a strong consideration. Our goal is for 9,000 students and employees to return to structured routines," Williams said. 
 
Students are set to return to Gainesville City Schools on Wednesday, Jan. 5. 
 
Williams said the school system's executive cabinet will watch not only case numbers in the schools, but also keep tabs on COVID data at Northeast Georgia Health System and at the Georgia Department of Public Health. 

Stan Lewis, Director of Communications for the Hall County School District, said Friday there are no plans to change current protocols for the county schools, where masking remains optional on all campuses. 

"As always, we will continue to monitor conditions and react accordingly to ensure a positive and safe learning environment," Lewis said.

He also said the District installed nearly 80 additional UV treatment stations at schools. UV light is used as disinfectant. 

Teachers and staff return to school in Hall County on Monday, Jan. 3, while students return to class on Jan. 4. 
 
 
 

http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/12/1066503/local-school-districts-head-back-to-class-as-covid-cases-surge

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