36 positive tests in schools last week, 161 quarantined

Marion County Public Schools last week reported the largest number of positive COVID-19 cases in the schools so far this year.

There were 36 positive COVID-19 tests among students and employees in the Marion County Public Schools for the week of Sept. 18-24, with 161 people quarantined for having direct contact with someone who tested positive.

Those who tested positive for COVID-19 included 25 students and 11 employees at 18 schools and two administration offices, said Kevin Christian, school district spokesman. That resulted in 132 students and 29 employees, or a total of 161 people, being quarantined by the Florida Department of Health.

The schools impacted by positive COVID-19 cases were Belleview High, Dunnellon Middle, East Marion Elementary, Eighth Street Elementary, Forest High, Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary, Lake Weir Middle, Legacy Elementary, Liberty Middle, Madison Street Academy, Marion Oaks Elementary, North Marion High, North Marion Middle, Reddick-Collier Elementary, South Ocala Elementary, Vanguard High, West Port High and Wyomina Park Elementary.

The Custodial Service and Technical Services departments were also impacted by COVID-19.

Courtesy of Marion County Public Schools