School districts in Kentucky and Texas have shut down schools in response to a so-called “surge” in COVID-19 cases in the area.
The Lee County School District and Magoffin County Schools said they cancelled classes due to “widespread illness.”
“We’re seeing a lot of illness being reported consistent with COVID and influenza,” Scott Lockard, public health director for the Kentucky River District — which includes Lee County — told ABC News. “Lee County had a surge of cases and attendance dropped below the threshold needed to stay open, so they closed.”
“Stay home when you’re sick,” he said. “Previously it was a seen as a badge of courage, ‘Oh I haven’t missed a day of work in 40 years. I went to work sick.’ We don’t want to see people saying that. We want, ‘I had symptoms, so I stayed home because I’m considerate of my coworkers.’”
Pete Shepherd, director of Magoffin County’s Public Health Department, acknowledged that the 40 or so COVID cases have “not been as severe.”
Read more: Kentucky & Texas School Districts SHUT DOWN After ‘Surge’ Of ‘Covid’ Cases
