Hardin County Schools announces new COVID-19 guidance
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to swell locally, Hardin County Director of Schools Michael Davis announced new guidance effective Wednesday, Aug. 18.
•Students and staff who wear a mask while at school will not be required to quarantine by the school unless they have symptoms.
•Students and staff who are currently quarantined will need to complete their quarantine time already given.
•Students and staff who have been fully vaccinated and have no symptoms are not required to quarantine – per the guidelines of the Tennessee Department of Health.
•Students should stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and see their healthcare provider for testing and care. Absences will be excused when proper documentation from the child’s healthcare provider is presented to the school.
•Students will be reminded regularly of the importance of hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer, as well as properly covering when sneezing and coughing.
According to Davis, as of Monday afternoon Hardin County Schools had 40 students infected with COVID out of a total enrollment of 3,441, or 1.1%.
There are 100 students quarantined from non-school exposure and 272 quarantined from school exposure. Two teachers and five support staff are reported COVID positive out of a total of 480 employees.
“Please know that with our new guideline, we are encouraging our students and staff to wear a mask for an additional layer of protection as well as an option for them to remain in school,” Davis said.
The Tennessee Department of Health reports that as of Monday, Aug. 16, Hardin County had 243 active COVID-19 cases, up 43% in the past week.
In Hardin County, 31% of the population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The state rate is 40% and the national rate is 51%.
You just said nothing…..
If the urging to partake of the Salk Vaccine to prevent & eradicate polio had fallen on as many deaf ears as the COVID-19 vaccine people using crutches & even death would be unreal due to polio. Why on earth people cannot concentrate on the 600 plus thousand that have died prior to the vaccine instead of the very few deaths that may have been associated with vaccine for COVID-19 I will never know. I & my family placed our odds on the COVID Vaccine to save our lives instead of doing nothing in case we became ill with the virus. Please stop placing not only yourself at very high risk but also you’re family & neighbors. Cary Duncan.
Thank you Mr. Davis for looking out for our students in a very trying time. Also thank you to our teachers & all school staff for doing a very good job under very challenging conditions. Cary Duncan.