LCSS launches website to update public on COVID-19 situation at schools

LEESBURG, Ga. – It’s been 11 days since the Lee County School System (LCSS) opened their doors for in-person instruction. Since then, 21 students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. But only seven of those 21 spent time on a school campus while having the virus.

“We’ve had some cases. When everybody comes together you’re going to have some cases and we do everything that we can possibly do,” says LCSS Assistant Superintendent Kevin Dowling.

There are around 4,800 students going into Lee County schools. And for their safety, the schools have hand washing stations, desk partitions and teachers are required to wear masks. And when a COVID-19 case does pop up, school officials swiftly quarantine others who might have been exposed.

“We contact trace and anyone who’s been determined to be in close contact with that person they are quarantined for 14 days, anyone who has a positive case they are to stay home for 10 days plus 24 hours fever-free. We’re doing all the things that the CDC and DPH tell us to do.”

111 students and staff are currently in quarantine And as in-person instruction continues, LCSS has set up a website to post a one-week snapshot of COVID-19 cases in their schools.

“A little table basically of what we’re calling ‘Cases in School’ and then ‘Total Cases,’ in other words, that’s how many people that either worked for Lee County or students in Lee County that have tested positive but those other cases weren’t necessarily in school.”

LCSS will update the table every Friday moving forward.