COVID cases rising in SNSD
Smackover-Norphlet Superintendent Jason Black announced Tuesday afternoon in a post on the Buckaroo Blog that as cases rise in the area and within the district’s staff and students, the SNSD is beginning preparations for a possible pivot to virtual instruction.
“Our hope is that our numbers stabilize and this is not necessary; however, we want you to be aware that we are evaluating the situation and will keep you posted,” Black wrote.
He asked that parents refrain from sending students to school if they or anyone else in the household is feeling sick, and to abide by COVID guidelines, such as waiting for a negative test result, outlined by public health officials.
According to a report on COVID cases in educational institutions produced by the Arkansas Department of Health on Jan. 18, there were 10 active cases of the virus in the SNSD’s staff and students then. The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement reported that as of Jan. 19, 421 COVID-19 cases had been identified in the SNSD’s catchment area, including 43 new cases in the last two weeks; there was also a new known infection rate of 72 per 10,000 residents in the SNSD’s catchment area.