A worrying development has led three school districts across the nation to make the difficult choice to suspend in-person instruction for the coming week.
Local officials have reported a significant decline in both student and teacher attendance, with illnesses, including COVID-19, and other respiratory ailments being the primary culprits.
COVID-19 and Flu Surge Shuts Magoffin County Schools
Kentucky has been particularly affected, with two school districts announcing closures due to a surge in illness cases among staff and students. Magoffin County Schools will remain closed on Thursday and Friday due to widespread illness.
The district has witnessed alarmingly low attendance over the past week, prompting the closure. A combination of viruses, including COVID-19 and influenza, has forced this step. Lee County School District, also in Kentucky, has implemented illness-related closures for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Following these closures, Thursday and Friday will be marked as Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) days. A sharp rise in respiratory illnesses and a noticeable drop in attendance have compelled this action.
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Testing Challenges Compound Illness Identification
According to Scott Lockard, public health director for the Kentucky River District Health Department, the return to in-person classes after the pandemic has historically led to an increase in illnesses due to larger gatherings.
Lockard highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between respiratory illnesses and COVID-19 symptoms, as they often overlap. Testing limitations have further complicated the situation.
In southern Texas, Runge Independent School District has faced a similar scenario, resulting in a weeklong closure for its 195 students. The district’s COVID-19 tracker indicated that a portion of the staff had tested positive for the virus.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a surge in COVID-19-related deaths and hospital admissions.
The CDC predicts a further increase in hospital admissions in the coming weeks. Lockard emphasized the importance of preventive measures such as social distancing, staying home when symptomatic, regular handwashing, and the use of hand sanitizers.
Lockard strongly recommended staying updated on COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. He also noted the availability of RSV vaccines for specific populations.
The battle against absenteeism continues to challenge schools, impacting learning outcomes even after pandemic-related closures.
Notably, last year witnessed a decline in performance among eighth graders in U.S. history, civics, reading, and math, raising concerns about the long-term impact of disruptions to education.
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