COVID

The state Department of Public Health has relaxed some guidelines for Georgia school districts in their efforts to fight COVID-19 in the classroom.

A letter sent Thursday by Gov. Brian Kemp and DPH Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey says educators and school staff who are exposed to COVID-19 can return to work, regardless of their vaccination status or when they were exposed “if their employer deems it necessary to ensure adequate staffing.”

New protocols will soon be in place for Atlanta Public School students and staff.

Why it matters: With the record-high transmission of COVID-19 in communities, implementing stricter measures will allow APS to better manage the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

Atlanta Public Schools is encouraging their employees and students to take part in voluntary surveillance testing Thursday and Friday to help better track the spread of COVID-19.

The testing will be held at nine cluster sites from noon to 5pm. Parents can consent to allowing their children to get tested by clicking here or by visiting one of the test sites.

Metro Atlanta students will begin the spring 2022 semester remotely amid the latest spike in COVID-19 cases.

School systems in Atlanta, Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton will start the semester this week with virtual learning due to high community transmission of COVID-19 in their counties.

Starting this week, public health departments throughout metro Atlanta will start administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5 to 11.

• Pediatric cases of COVID-19 in Georgia increased in August, according to state health officials.

A federal court judge has rejected parents’ request for a temporary injunction in their lawsuit against the Cobb County School District over its mask-optional policy.

Why it matters: Approval of the request would have required the district to follow CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools, including universal masking while indoors.