MCSD sees COVID-19 cases come down

     Some good news out of the Monticello Community School District: After the fourth week of classes, the overall number of students in quarantine and isolation has dropped.

     There are 21 students in isolation, meaning those students are exhibiting a variety of symptoms. There are 18 students in quarantine; students who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, but not necessarily at school. Those numbers make up about 4 percent of the MCSD student body.

     “These numbers are dramatically lower than we have had for the last few weeks,” expressed Superintendent Brian Jaeger. “If we all work together and stay home when not feeling well we can continue on this track.”

     The MCSD also has 218 students in PreK-12 participating in either full online leaning or hybrid learning. That makes up 22 percent of the student population.

     Throughout the next two weeks or so, Jaeger said the district would be working on a strategy on how to proceed with Parent/Teacher Conferences in October.

     “We need Parent/Teacher Conferences more this year than ever before,” he said, “but we want to organize them in the safest way possible.” More information will be released at a later date.

     The MCSD wants to also remind families that if their child is exhibiting any form of COVID-19 symptoms, they are to stay home.

     “Even if a student comes for one or two days when they are sick, they can expose many students in a short time,” warned Jaeger. “Be extra cautious for this school year and stay home.

     “When a student or staff member comes to school sick, it affects so many other people, so please be considerate. I just ask that we work together to do what we have to during these difficult times to continue to keep our schools open for our students,” concluded Jaeger.

     During the Sept. 15 Jones County Supervisor meeting, Public Health Community Health Specialist Jess Wiedenhoff reported that the county gained 11 COVID-19 cases since Sept. 11: 10 confirmed and one probable.

     JCPH was also dealing with 78 active cases as of Sept. 17.

     A confirmed case refers to those who have tested positive for coronavirus. A probable case is where the person developed COVID-like symptoms after being exposed to someone who tested positive. However, the person has not been tested. Active cases are those currently with coronavirus.

     JCPH Coordinator Jenna Lovaas said that Jones County has switched to the state’s method of counting people as either active cases or recovered from the virus.

     “This means we are no longer checking in with people at the 10-day post-test/post-symptom onset, and potentially making them as recovered at that point,” explained Lovaas. “They are now considered ‘active’ for 28 days from their test date.”

     Lovaas went on to say that with the number of cases that are being reported locally on a daily basis, JCPH does not have the capacity to keep up with those 10-day check-ins.

     “Our numbers are definitely climbing!” reported Lovaas. “I think we’re averaging about five new cases every day, whereas we used to only have five new cases in a week at times.”