COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the nation. School closures have come paired with the increase — but not in Alachua County Public Schools.
In Alachua County, the 14-day percent positive sits at 5.3% and hospital occupancy is at about 82%, according to the county COVID-19 dashboard.
New York City moved to close schools this week. Closures are also happening in Kentucky and Michigan. With a monthly high in new COVID-19 cases in Alachua County, ACPS has also witnessed a jump in cases from last Friday. Total cases increased 41 from last week, from 152 to 181 student cases and 91 to 103 staff cases, according to the district COVID-19 dashboard.
This week, the number of people in quarantine increased by 111 from last week, with a jump from 35 to 146.
A three-day school week last week was a factor in the increase, ACPS spokesperson Jackie Johnson said. There had also been a backlog of COVID-19 tests that just went through but those who were waiting on results were already quarantining.
High school students socializing was also another reason for this jump, she added. There were also several cases of siblings who tested positive. The district works with the Alachua County Department of Health to test students and staff and perform contract tracing, according to an October press release. In the past, other outbreaks have been attributed to school sports.
Elementary schools have 14 cases. There are five student cases in Foster, two in Parker and one in Williams. There is one staff case each in Idylwild, Lake Forest, Littlewood, Meadowbrook, Norton and Rawlings.
There are eight cases in middle schools. Three student cases are in Oak View and one in Kanapaha. Fort Clarke, Kanapaha, Mebane and Oak View each have one staff case.
High school cases went from 18 last week to 27 this week. There are eight student and two staff cases at Buchholz; seven student and two staff cases at Newberry; two student cases at Eastside, Loften and Gainesville; and one student case at Santa Fe. Eastside also has one staff case.
There are two active cases in district administration and a student case at the Sidney Lanier Center.
