Coronavirus quarantines rise as students return to classrooms
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
More than 100 students are learning virtually in Columbia and Jefferson City a week into the new school year.
Quarantines have gone up in school districts due to people testing positive for COVID-19 or for exposure to it. Columbia Public Schools reported 136 students in either isolation or quarantine and nine staff members on Monday afternoon, up from the 117 students and five workers reported that morning. Jefferson City School District reported seven active student cases and four active staff cases, with a close contact in each category.
Many students and staff in Missouri returned to classrooms last week while hospitals deal with thousands of COVID-19 patients. Both CPS and JC Schools have mask policies in place. Students and staff wearing them correctly, or those who can prove they are vaccinated, won't have to quarantine if exposed.
Most of CPS' active student cases of COVID-19 come from elementary school students. Fifty-six percent of the 23 active cases come from those schools, along with 62% of quarantines. High school students, who make up the most cumulative COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, currently make up 19% of the district's students out.
CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said that "4 or 5" elementary school classrooms have made to make the switch to learning via Zoom. She pointed out that children 11 years old and younger still cannot get vaccinated. She encouraged those 12 and older that get a coronavirus vaccination.
CPS parent Whitney Denbigh said she was pleased with the district's rules so far. She said she enjoyed that students were learning in-person, and supported the district's decision to require masks. The masks give her sixth-grade daughter a chance to stay in school.
"Just because my child's not old enough to choose to get the vaccine or not," Denbigh said. "So I think it's important that she feels the same as everyone else being masked."
High school students make up a majority of JC Schools' active cases. Four students at Jefferson City High School and one at Capital City High School are in isolation. Three students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School are considered active cases.
JC Schools began classes Aug. 23, with most CPS students heading back to school the next day.
