Georgia classroom shuts down one day after reopening as student contracts coronavirus

An elementary school student in Georgia contracted COVID-19 this week after attending class on the first day of school.

Sixes Elementary in the Cherokee County School District opened the school year on Monday, but the following day a teacher and 20 other students were asked to self-quarantine after the second-grader tested positive.

The classroom was temporarily closed Tuesday for deep cleaning, CNN reported.

School principal Ashley Kennerly told parents in an email that the quarantined students will participate in remote learning over the next two weeks, according to NBC News.

Cherokee County schools recommend but do not require face masks for students. The district said it would provide students with up to two reusable face covers upon request on the first day of school, in addition to letting parents choose whether their children should learn remotely or return for in-person classes.

The Hill has reached out to the school district for comment.

According to the district’s reopening guidelines, “If the Federal or State government mandates masks be worn, we must follow that mandate and require all students to wear masks.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who favors voluntary use of face masks, has fought several mayors on their efforts to require facial coverings.

In another Georgia school district, more than 250 employees aren’t returning to work for several days due to positive coronavirus tests or exposure to people with the virus.

According to the Georgia Department of Health, there were 2,573 new cases on Wednesday and 81 deaths due to the virus.