Alachua County Public Schools had 53 students and faculty members in quarantine as of Tuesday evening — a decrease of about 30 cases since May 18, according to the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard.
Under the district’s protocol, those in quarantine reflect positive COVID-19 cases and people who had significant contact with someone who tested positive.
As of Tuesday evening, there were six active student cases and one active staff case. Active cases reflect ACPS students and staff who tested positive in the past 10 days.
COVID-19 vaccination sites opened on April 22, and staff members, students and Digital Academy students 16 and up had the opportunity to get the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Vaccination sites began administering first doses to students as young as 12 on May 13.
ACPS spokesperson Jackie Johnson said more than 1,200 students ages 12 and up have received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Vaccine clinics, which have been made possible by a partnership between ACPS and the Alachua County Health Department, will be available at various middle and high schools across the county until June 15.
Johnson said all families with students are encouraged to take advantage of the clinics before the end of the school year, even if they are only able to receive their first dose.
“We’ve set it up so that the kids who wanted them and the families who wanted them could get both shots before the school year is over,” she said. “If a family decides during one of those final clinics of the school year that they want their child to get the first shot, that is absolutely fine, they will have lots of opportunities to get the second shot out in the community.”
Students ages 12 to 17 must have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian for each dose of the vaccine, but students 18 and older may sign their own forms, according to the ACPS website.
“We just want everybody to stay vigilant,” Johnson said. “We're so close to the end of the school year. We certainly don't want to see any outbreaks before the end of the school year. So we're asking everybody to still follow the protocols and get vaccinated, then that's going to be the key to ending the school year on a high note.”
Contact Abigail Hasebrook at ahasebrook@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @abbeyhasebroock.
Abigail is a second-year journalism major covering university general assignment news for The Alligator. When she’s not catching up on school or reporting, she’s spending time outside, reading or reorganizing her Spotify playlists - usually all at the same time.
