Today should have been a return to mask-optional school in Hall County, but with nearly a twenty percent decrease in COVID-19 cases and quarantines since Friday, the district has extended the mandate two extra days to continue to slow the spread.
The Hall County School District extended its temporary mask mandate to Friday, Sept. 10, as COVID-19 numbers in the district trend downwards.
On Sept. 3, at the height of the reported COVID-19 cases and exposures in the Hall County School District, the district had 385 positive cases, 609 in quarantine and 1,073 exposed individuals still in school. The Sept. 8 report shows 311 positive COVID-19 cases, 490 quarantined individuals and 900 exposed individuals still in school.
“Masking is done on an as-needed basis at individual schools,” Hall County School District Superintendent Will Schofield tells Now Habersham. “The premise is we believe masking has negative effects on learning and emotional wellness, [but] masking slows the spread of COVID. If we extended a mask requirement, we absolutely believe it has the potential to slow spread.”
The district is only requiring masks at 10 of their 38 schools, down three schools from Sept. 3.
Students, faculty and staff who have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus may choose to return to school as long as they wear a mask at all times and consent to temperature checks. They can also quarantine at home.
The Hall County School District updates its COVID-19 data daily. Individual numbers by students, staff, school, cases and quarantines can be found on their website.
