DeKalb County schools report 17 coronavirus cases

DeKalb County schools report 17 coronavirus cases

Week.

New information out of sand mountain.

Today we learned 14 students and 3 staff members in the dekalb county school system tested postive for coronavirus.

That's according to the superintendent.

Waay 31's sophia borrelli spoke with him about how they're managing cases - and how parents are helping keep that number low.

Dekalb county schools - is in its second week of having students in the classroom.

Superintendent jason barnett says of the 14 students who tested positive for coronavirus - only two actually stepped foot on a school campus.

He says parents have been doing a great job communicating with different schools about their children.

Jason barnett, dekalb county schools superintendent: "they call the school to let people know they're symptomatic and they're seeking on what to do and we're referring them to their healthcare provider or maybe they have already been tested and were positive and called the school just to let us know so that they can keep them out, so we understand where they are and we can support them during this time."

Barnett said 3 staff members have tested positive.

He says less than 1 percent of the district's teachers, staff, and students are quarantining because of a possible exposure to the virus.

Barnett says the district is following the alabama department of public health's toolkit for guidance on when a student, teacher or staff member needs to quarantine from possible exposure to the virus.

"they do require a 14 day isolation or quarantine period and that has caused some concern for our parents because they know their child has been out of school for 7 days and is feeling great, and wants to return and be able to be a part of their school and be apart of their school and get their education they need, but they're working well with us to make sure that we keep everyone safe."

Barnett says he's pleased with how people in the district as a whole are working to help stop the spread of the virus.

"keep up the good work.

Wash your hands, maintain social distance.

Wear that facial covering as needed and we're going to kick this and hopefully before long, we can get back to the way of life that we want."

Sophia looklive: "barnett said he was not able to tell me which schools had students or employees who tested positive.

In rainsville - sophia borrelli waay 31