Schools, state order masks

Wise County schools reported Tuesday that four staff members and 19 students were in quarantine because of COVID-19 concerns, according to Superintendent Greg Mullins.

Also this week, Norton schools reported three positive COVID cases among staff and students.

Both school systems are requiring face masks inside school buildings.

Concerns among public agencies and entities are growing as the delta variant of the virus sweeps across Virginia and the nation, with new case numbers rising exponentially each day.

The quarantined staffers and students involve multiple schools, according to Mullins.

Mullins said he told the school board that while the school year began with a mask-optional stance, schools rapidly upgraded to mandatory masking. “We have looked to science to guide our decision-making process and we will continue to do so.”

County schools will follow state law requiring “that each public school division will offer in-person learning opportunities which adhere to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies” for early childhood and K-12 programs, Mullins explained.

During Monday’s Norton School Board meeting, the school nurse’s report indicated that one Burton High School student and one Norton Elementary and Middle School teacher had tested positive for the virus.

Superintendent Gina Wohlford said Wednesday that following the meeting, city schools have reported an additional case. “The metrics will be updated weekly on our website under the tab: 2021-22 CoronaVirus Information. Any changes to our plans and information relating to Norton City Schools and our response to the pandemic can also be found here.”

The website is www.nortoncityschools.org.

Wohlford told the school board that the system went into phase one mitigation effective Aug. 9, including masks indoors for all staff, students and visitors older than two.

Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ralph Northam announced a public health emergency order requiring universal masking in K-12 schools.

He noted that the order reinforces existing state law, Senate Bill 1303, which the General Assembly passed earlier this year.

Northam said 73 percent of adults in Virginia have received at least one dose of vaccine, but only 40 percent of students ages 12-15 and 51.7 percent of students ages 16-17 are fully vaccinated.