Henrico Schools reports decline in new COVID-19 cases, exposures last week

There were 91 new COVID-19 cases and 727 close contacts related to Henrico Schools reported last week — down from the prior week’s 109 new cases and 1,005 close contacts.

Of the 91 new cases, 48 were in elementary schools, 22 in middle schools, 20 in high schools, and one was reported in the facilities annex.

Since Sept. 1, there have been 779 cases among students and staff in HCPS. There are about 48,000 in-person students and about 7,000 staff members in HCPS, according to the most recent estimates provided by the school district.

In elementary schools, last week’s 48 cases resulted in 300 close contacts, otherwise known as exposures. At Johnson Elementary, one case resulted in 75 exposures — the highest number of exposures at a single elementary school last week.

For students, an exposure is defined as being within 3 feet of a person who is COVID positive for 15 minutes or more, over a 24 hour time period. For those not wearing a well-fitted mask, being within 6 feet for the same time period is also considered close contact.

In middle schools, 22 positive cases last week resulted in 180 close contacts. Tuckahoe Middle reported five cases and 179 close contacts. For secondary students and staff, exposures don’t necessarily mean quarantines, because vaccinated people generally do not have to quarantine.

In high schools, 20 cases resulted in 241 exposures. For the second week in a row, Varina High School reported the highest number of exposures, with 78 close contacts resulting from the week’s three confirmed cases. Highland Springs High School reported five cases, resulting in 39 close contacts and Glen Allen High School’s two cases resulted in 35 close contacts.

HCPS this year is not releasing information regarding whether cases are related to athletics or extracurricular activities.

At the last two Henrico School Board meetings, Chairman Roscoe Cooper III has inquired about vaccine requirements for student athletes. HCPS Chief of Staff Beth Teigen later said in a statement provided to the Citizen that the HCPS health committee has been discussing the weekly screening of athletes.

The next health committee update will be presented at Thursday’s school board meeting.

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Anna Bryson is the Henrico Citizen's education reporter and a Report for America corps member. Make a tax-deductible donation to support her work, and RFA will match it dollar for dollar.