MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nearly 140 students in DeSoto County, Mississippi schools were under quarantine during the week of Aug. 17-21, the school district reports.
Ten students and eight faculty members in DeSoto County Schools tested positive for COVID-19, the district said in a report.
The largest number of students under quarantine was at Southaven High School, where 45 students were affected. The school reported two cases of COVID-19 among students.
COVID-19 cases were also reported at DeSoto Central Middle (1), Hernando High School (1), Oak Grove Central Elementary School (1), Lewisburg Middle School (2), Lewisburg Elementary (1) and Lewisburg Primary (2).
The 139 students under quarantine do not include students who are quarantined by the Mississippi State Department of Health for situations that are not school-related.
Those students will have to quarantine for 14 days but will have acess to digital learning.
The district says it used seating charts to assist with contact tracing.
DeSoto County Schools reopened Aug. 17, after the original date was pushed back.
“This is one of our biggest concerns and also one of the reasons mae asked for a later start date,” said Erica Jones, president of the Mississippi Educators Association. “This is going to be something that we’re all going to have to pitch in and help with. Our educators, our communities doing what’s right to help keep everyone safe.”
