July 27th, 2020 – 2:30 PM
WZQZ Radio –
(Via WZQZ radio) Chattooga County School Superintendent Jared Hosmer says that school will start back as planned this week, despite the fact the county has seen some high-profile community members test positive for COVID-19.
Supt. Hosmer said that while nearly everyone in Chattooga County now recognizes the names, or knows personally, someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus, health experts are still encouraging the Chattooga County School System to start classes later this week.
Teachers are returning to the schools Tuesday and children will start back later this week.
Supt. Hosmer said that Chattooga County Public Health Nurse Judy Wesson came by the central office on Monday and spoke with him about the reopening plans. Hosmer says he has also spoken with Dr. Voccio – head of the Northwest Georgia Department of Public Health, and with John Quinlivan from Redmond Regional Medical Center. All of the health professionals agree that the Chattooga County School system has a good plan for reopening, and that for now, those plans should proceed.
The superintendent said, “I know that people are apprehensive right now with all the high-profile cases, but we have a good plan for reopening. We are taking every precaution that we can and we have safety measures in place.”
Dr. Voccio has told the school system that right now the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the county do not justify keeping the schools closed, according to Supt. Hosmer.
The Chattooga County School System is one of the first school systems in the state to start back to school after having been out since March 13th of this year.