More than 200 COVID-19 cases reported on third day of school

Volusia County Schools launched a COVID-19 dashboard for the 2021-22 school year today, Aug. 18, and reported more than 200 cases of COVID-19 among employees and students after only two full days back in school. 

The first day of the school year was Monday, Aug. 16.

Sixty-four of the 232 total cases are among staff members, and 168 are among students. The dashboard lists only which schools have at least one COVID-19 case, and does not break down the cases by school.

In total, 57 Volusia County Schools locations are listed as having at least one COVID-19 case, including DeLand High School, University High School, George W. Marks Elementary, Freedom Elementary and others.

Volusia County Schools will update the COVID-19 dashboard every Wednesday and Friday with the number of cases reported.

Volusia Online Learning, the district’s remote learning option, is included in the list of schools with at least one confirmed COVID-19 case, which a Volusia County Schools representative confirmed is a staff-member, as Volusia Online Learning students are not included in COVID-19 case numbers.

What’s the policy?

Volusia County Schools’ COVID-19 policy states that if any student — regardless of vaccination status — tests positive or develops COVID-19 symptoms, that student must quarantine at home until receiving a negative COVID-19 test, or until 10 days pass since symptoms began, or if the student receives a doctor’s note stating they can return to school.

Vaccinated or previously infected students who are exposed to COVID-19 but do not show symptoms do not have to quarantine.

Employees — regardless of vaccination status — must quarantine for 10 days after testing positive, unless they receive negative PCR test results after Day 6 since the start of their quarantine.

Like students, vaccinated employees who are exposed to COVID-19 but never show symptoms, may continue working.

Quarantined students can access their assignments online.

A face covering is required indoors on school campuses for employees and volunteers until Sept. 11, by the superintendent’s order. Face coverings are optional for all students.