Three more students in two Brown County schools have tested positive for COVID-19 within the first week of the new school year.
That takes the total to four known student cases in three schools: Helmsburg Elementary (announced Thursday), Brown County Middle School (one athlete) and Brown County High School (two athletes).
All affected students and families have been notified if they have to quarantine due to exposure. That could mean up to an entire class or team depending on the amount of time and physical distance they had with the person who tested positive.
New Brown County Schools Superintendent Emily Tracy emailed and called parents Friday night to report changes to the district’s mask policy. Starting Monday, all people in Brown County schools will be required to wear masks for all indoor activities regardless of their vaccination status. So far this school year, masks had only been recommended, not required for those who were not fully vaccinated.
Children younger than 12 are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines; children and adults 12 and older are. They are being given for free on weekdays at the Brown County Health Department in Nashville.
“I know of and hear many who are not in favor of masks and I know many who want masks required in all-school settings,” Tracy told parents.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic is still a challenge that our community is facing. We will continue to monitor and follow the health department guidelines along with the data for our school community daily. Our first priority is the health, wellness and safety of our students and staff.”
