-
School buildings will be open at a limited capacity when school starts on Aug. 17.
Students in Macon County will be able to return to school in a limited capacity following an announcement made by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday.
What the school setup will look like, and the details of the plan to reopen public schools in August, remain to be seen as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter procedures and protocols.
“The reality is that this disease is continuing to spread across the country and across the state,” Cooper said. “But as we know, it is important for our students to return to school and that is why North Carolina schools will be open for both in-person and remote learning this fall under our ‘Plan B.’”
In June, Cooper proposed three options for starting the school year in August.
• Plan A was to return to in-person instruction as in years past, with minimal social distancing and increased cleaning/sanitizing procedures.
• Plan B, was a hybrid of in-person and online instruction with increased social distancing and schools reopening at half capacity under modified schedules.
• Plan C was to transition to remote online learning only, the way students ended the previous school year.
Cooper noted on Tuesday that the state is recommending “Plan B,” but if individual school districts feel like “Plan C” is a better option they can choose to do remote learning only.
Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin sent out a written statement shortly after Cooper’s press conference, which indicated that local schools will be using “Plan B.”
“We are excited to welcome students and staff back into our buildings,” Baldwin said. “Schools will open on Aug. 17 for in person instruction under an updated ‘Plan B’ that requires face coverings for all K-12 students and staff, fewer children in the classroom, measures to ensure social distancing for everyone in the building and other safety protocols. Now that we have official word from Gov. Cooper, we will be working diligently to finalize our opening plans.”
The details of Macon County Schools’ reopening plans are expected to be finalized prior to the board of education meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 20. That meeting will be live-streamed online at www.macon.k12.nc.us.
Phase two
Following his announcement regarding public schools, Cooper made the move to keep North Carolina in “phase two” of his plan to reopen the state’s economy until at least Aug. 5.
Cooper had the option to move the state into “phase three,” which would have further eased restrictions and allowed more businesses to reopen, as of July 17. Ultimately, he decided that the COVID-19 case numbers did not warrant an easing of restrictions.
Under “phase two” face coverings are required in all businesses and public places where the recommended six feet of social distancing is not possible. Businesses that are open must reduce their capacity to accommodate social distancing and carry out increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Gyms, fitness centers, massage studios, bars, movie theaters and entertainment venues must remain closed.
Cluster identified
On Friday, Macon County Public Health staff members identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with Norton Creek Farms.
According to information from MCPH, nine people who work at the farm tested positive for COVID-19 in close succession. Each of those employees was immediately isolated and all other employees of the farm were tested, as were any close contacts of the positive individuals.
“We have used the strongest precautions possible to keep our farm workers and community safe, and will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our workers and community,” Norton Creek Farm owner Nathan Moss said in a written statement regarding the farm’s precautions.
COVID-19 statistics
COVID-19 coronavirus cases continue to increase statewide, with 89,484 cases confirmed as of Wednesday. Of those, 1,109 patients are currently hospitalized and 1,582 patients have died as result of the disease.
In Macon County, there have been 4,463 COVID-19 tests completed and 340 cases confirmed. Of the confirmed cases, 116 are active, 223 are recovered and one person has died.