Schools, day care centers blamed for rise in Wake coronavirus infections
Even as more people are being vaccinated against coronavirus, more people are testing positive for the virus in Wake County.
Posted — UpdatedNearly 3,000 people have tested positive in the county in the last two weeks, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. That compares with about 2,660 in the preceding two-week period.
Although restrictions have recently been eased on businesses, allowing more people into bars, restaurants, movie theaters and stores later into the night, county health officials say school and child care settings are the sources of the latest outbreaks.
That report defines a cluster in a child care or school setting as a minimum of five positive cases within a 14-day period. An organization stays on the list until 28 days after the latest date of a positive test.
- Foundations Academy
- Wakefield Creative School
- Millbrook Kindercare
- Little Learners Magic Moments Preschool
- Oak Village Academy
- Precious Lambs Early Learn Center
- The Goddard School on Ridge Road
- Little Lambs Learning Center
- Cary Christian School
- Envision Science Academy
- Lincoln Heights Elementary School
- Casa Esperanza Montessori School
- Zebulon Elementary School
Thales Academy, which has seven campuses in Wake County, doesn't have any current outbreaks, although there were some earlier in the pandemic.
Aside from taking precautions such as making students wear masks, Herman-Pagliolo credits Thales' recent success to open communication between families and staff.
"They contact us that they’ve either been in contact with someone who has COVID or someone has developed new symptoms within their household," she said.
Dr. David Wohl, an infectious disease expert with UNC Health, said he believes schools can operate safely amid the pandemic. The key in any setting, whether it’s at an office, restaurant or school, is taking the proper steps to mitigate the spread of the virus, he said.
"The question is, will we? Will we do it the right way, and can we trust people to do it the right way?" Wohl said.
The district "has been very deliberate in creating and enforcing health guidelines designed to keep transmissions low on campus," Keith Sutton, chairman of the Wake County school board, said in a statement to WRAL News.
"We often say we can't stop COVID-19 from entering our schools, but we can slow its spread. It's hard work, and schools must remain vigilant to keep those infections down," Sutton said.
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