Schools Return with Uptick in COVID-19 Cases
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:36AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Local school districts saw some spike in COVID cases when school resumed on Monday, but in most cases the numbers were lower than the same return to school day in January 2021.
Anderson School Dist. 1 reported 57 students in quarantine and 38 testing positive for the virus (26 students and 12 staff). Some were still isolating from a positive test over the break.
Anderson School Dist. 5, the county's largest district, reported 107 staff absences and 65 students due to the virus, but were able to fill the vacant slots. Last January, the district saw 170 call out from virus-related illnesses when school resumed after the holidays.
Anderson School Dist. 4 reported 13 absences, which included four teachers out sick as school resumed.
Anderson School Dist. 3 reported eight staff members and 15 students out with the virus.
Anderson School Dist. 2 reported four teachers out, and all expected to return this week.
All five districts are following the new state guidelines, which require five days of isolation after a postive COVID-19 test, and which all them to return to school after five days if no fever is present for 24 hours, wiht the caveat that they will be required to wear a mask an additional five days unless actively eating, drinking, or participating in physical activity.