LCS: No changes to school operations after COVID-19 cases reported during winter break

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Leon County Schools announced Monday afternoon that there will be no changes to school operations after nearly 250 students and dozens of employees either tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who was positive over winter break.

In a statement released on social media, Superintendent Rocky Hanna wrote that the district received an update from the Leon County Department of Health on COVID-19 Monday morning and its impact since school let out for winter break on Dec.18.

The update revealed 246 students, roughly 0.8 percent of all students districtwide, and 58 employees, 1.2 percent of all employees, either tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who was positive over the break and are finishing a quarantine period.

"Although these numbers are slightly higher than those we experienced since the start of school they were somewhat expected because of the high number of people in our community who tested before family holiday gatherings," Hanna wrote in the statement.

Hanna also noted that no one has been on LCS campuses for the last 17 days.

"When I asked the health department if we needed to do anything different, their advice was for us to continue following our Safe Start Plan just as we have done since the first day of school in August," Hanna wrote.

He also said the district will continue to monitor every class, at every school, every day and notify parents of any changes.

At this time, there are no changes to school operations. Students are set to return back to school on Tuesday, January 5.

Parents and staff members are asked to continue to follow the current protocols that have been in place since August 31:

• Stay home if you are showing symptoms
• Stay home if you or your child is awaiting test results
• Wear your mask
• Maintain social distancing
• Wash your hands