Hancock County in the red, Schools close
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Despite efforts to stop it, COVID-19 continues to spread across Hancock County and the state, pushing more than half the Commonwealth’s 120 counties beyond the threshold to become “red,” or having a seven-day incidence rate of more than 25 per 100,000, which has led schools to return to virtual learning and the governor to call for more restrictions on the public.
Hancock County entered the red territory on October 26 when its rolling average climbed to 31.1, but climbed to 57.3 on October 30. Hancock County Schools superintendent Kyle Estes sent out a letter to parents on October 30 announcing that the district would be returning to virtual-only for this week due to the rising numbers.
“Hancock County is in the ‘Red’ status at 50.8 which is double what is recommended by the state to cease in-person instruction,” the letter said. The district was already scheduled to be off on Monday and Tuesday of this week, but Estes said the rest of the week would be virtual only because of disruptions caused by an increase in cases.
“As a result of increased community spread, we are seeing an increase of mandated and voluntary quarantines and isolations that are negatively impacting the instructional environment,” the letter said.
And more students were choosing to stay home anyway.
“Our schools are observing a significant surge of students requesting Virtual instruction because of our community spread,” Estes wrote. “This is creating an inconsistent learning environment for staff and students.”
Estes will reassess the numbers at the end of this week to determine whether students should return to in-person learning next week.
The Green River District Health Department reported two more deaths due to the coronavirus on November 4, bringing the county’s total to five.
The total of confirmed positives was at 165, although 112 of those had recovered, and only one person was hospitalized as of Wednesday.
As the virus spreads, Kentucky’s governor Andy Beshear has released more guidance and has requested that people do their part by staying home when necessary.
