School System Nears 5,500 COVID-19 Cases In Just Seven Weeks. Sports, Activities To Be Stopped?
BY: COVID DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — There is growing concern that the Palm Beach County School District may need to take drastic action — whether closing schools, combining classes, extending mask and other mandates, or even stopping all sports and extracurricular activities — as the school district is expected to report its 5,500th COVID-19 case later Wednesday.
At the current pace, the Palm Beach County School District will easily hit the 10,000 case mark by winter break in December. If families come together for Thanksgiving and if parents make poor choices, there is expectation that an unprecedented COVID situation may be just weeks away.
Thousands of students remain under “stay at home” directives, unable to attend school due to COVID or potential COVID exposure. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis prohibited schools this year from offering “live” distance learning. These students may only download work to be completed independently.
“While Palm Beach County as a whole is seeing much better numbers,” said a school district source, “there is real concern in the school district as our numbers keep rising.”
There are several “problem” schools where students and their parents are making choices that lead to COVID-19 spread. Among them:
Boca Raton High: 130 COVID-19 cases.
Boca Raton Middle: 55 COVID-19 cases.
Calusa Elementary: 53 COVID-19 cases.
Del Prado Elementary: 26 COVID-19 cases.
Don Estridge High Tech Middle: 38 COVID-19 cases.
Eagles Landing Middle: 40 COVID-19 cases.
Independence Middle: 44 COVID-19 cases.
Loggers Run Middle: 51 COVID-19 cases.
Morikami Park Elementary: 25 COVID-19 cases.
Olympic Heights High: 65 COVID-19 cases.
Omni Middle: 42 COVID-19 cases.
Park Vista Community High: 85 COVID-19 cases.
Polo Park Middle: 76 COVID-19 cases.
Santaluces High: 50 COVID-19 cases.
Seminole Ridge High: 150 COVID-19 cases.
Spanish River High: 65 COVID-19 cases.
Sunset Palms Elementary: 63 COVID-19 cases.
Verde K-8: 64 COVID-19 cases.
Wellington High: 117 COVID-19 cases.
West Boca Raton Community High: 46 COVID-19 cases.
Whispering Pines Elementary: 18 COVID-19 cases.
William T. Dwyer High: 83 COVID-19 cases.
Woodlands Middle School: 82 COVID-19 cases.
The official numbers are lower than the “true” COVID-19 count according to school officials who say it takes several days for health officials to confirm cases that are reported to principals or others.
