FROM STAFF REPORTS

Iredell-Statesville Schools officials reported a dramatic decrease in the number of students who were required to quarantine last week as the second week of the district’s mask mandate came to a close.

More than 1,530 students were required to quarantine due to close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in a school setting or in the community. An additional 937 students were forced to isolate after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

“The number of students quarantined as a result of close contact within the school building is down by approximately 50% from last week,” Boen Nutting, the district’s chief of strategic planning and student services, said in a news release.

“This is great news as we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID on our school campuses,” she added. “We remain committed to keeping our schools open and serving students in a face-to-face setting.”

During the week of September 10-16, 193 students and 19 I-SS staff members tested positive for COVID-19, according to the district’s latest report. At least one student tested positive at 29 district schools.

Thirty-three staff members were required to quarantine due to close contact in school or the community, and another 55 staff members isolated after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Here’s the last I-SS data:

COVID-19 Dashboard