Cobb County Schools Updates COVID Protocols, But Will Return In Person This Week

COBB COUNTY, GA — As at least three metro Atlanta school districts pivot to remote learning due to rising COVID-19 cases across the region, the Cobb County School District will still start the spring semester in person on Wednesday, district officials said.

The district said it "remains committed to providing our students with an internationally competitive education, ensuring a safe instructional environment, and prioritizing our community's overwhelming preference for in-person learning" in a letter to parents Sunday night.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, Cobb County has a 14-day case rate of 1,505 cases per 100,000 county residents as of Dec. 31 — more than twice the 14-day case rate on Dec. 24 at 628 cases per 100,000 county residents, recorded just a week earlier.

District leaders encouraged parents to keep their kids at home if they are sick or show symptoms, or if a student has a positive or pending COVID-19 test. If a student has a cough, shortness of breath or any changes to taste or smell, school officials recommended parents contact their child's health professional for guidance.

The district does not have a mask mandate in place, saying masks are "strongly encouraged but optional" for both students and staff unless following quarantine protocol. The district's quarantine policies are as follows:

• Students who are identified as a close contact, where the point of exposure occurred in the school setting, and are asymptomatic may immediately return to class if the parent chooses.
• Asymptomatic students identified as a close contact, where the point of exposure occurred in the school setting, must remain asymptomatic and wear a mask while on school district property for an additional seven days after exposure.
• Students who are identified as a close contact, where the point of exposure occurred in the school setting, and are symptomatic must follow the isolation guidance contained in the close contact letter.

Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate in accordance with recently-updated GDPH guidelines:

• If you had COVID-19 symptoms, home isolation can end when:
  • At least five days have passed since symptoms first appeared, AND
  • At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND
  • Symptoms have improved.
• If you did not have COVID-19 symptoms, home isolation can end when:
  • At least five days have passed since the positive lab test and you remain asymptomatic.
  • Note: If you develop symptoms, you should follow the symptomatic persons guidelines and start the isolation period over.

To see all of CCSD's COVID-19 protocols, visit cobbk12.org. For more information about GDPH's isolation guidelines, visit dph.georgia.gov/isolation-contact.

CCSD reports COVID-19 case information online each Friday when school is in session. According to the most recent seven-day case report, uploaded on Dec. 17 prior to the holiday break, the highest number of active COVID-19 cases at a single school was 13 cases that week.

Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid signed a COVID-19 declaration of emergency just before Christmas, set to expire at midnight Jan. 22 unless extended, amended or rescinded, due to rising cases. It was signed concurrently with a mask mandate from County Manager Jackie McMorris, requiring masks in all county government buildings.

With the rising cases, at least three metro Atlanta school districts have opted for virtual learning to start the semester: Fulton County Schools, Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Schools. The neighboring Douglas County School System is also returning in person, but with required masks in high-spread schools.

The district's message Sunday concluded by saying keeping sick children at home helps control spread and keeps schools open.

"With the new Omicron variant and winter season upon us, COVID-19 cases have increased throughout our community and across the state. Ensuring sick children are not sent to school helps to control virus spread and keep our schools open," the letter said.

Related:

• Pfizer Boosters For Kids 12-15: What GA Parents Need To Know
• COVID Spike Pushes 2 Metro School Districts To Virtual Learning
• Douglas Schools To Return In Person, With Masks For Some
• COVID-19 State Of Emergency, Mask Mandate Issued In Cobb Again