South Columbus High moves to full-time virtual for week of August 30

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — On Friday morning, South Columbus High School announced it is returning to full-time virtual learning on Monday, August 30.

It’s the first school in the Cape Fear to make the move as the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Since August 9, Columbus County Schools says there have been 92 positive cases of COVID-19 among students and staff members at South Columbus High School.

South Columbus High School will follow a full-time virtual learning format beginning on Monday.

At the end of next week, a decision will be made regarding the return to in-person learning, depending on the number of COVID-19 cases in the community.

Columbus County Health Director Kim Smith said there is has been a drastic increase in COVID-19 cases in the county.

“Right now is very difficult, we have a high number of cases, I believe our hospital is feeling the burden of all of those cases, and that’s what we’ve tried to do …is keep people out of the hospitals and that’s why we’re pushing vaccines,” said Kim Smith, Columbus County Health Department Health Director.

Smith says the health department is seeing an increase in the number of younger people getting COVID-19.

“We need people to wear masks, whether you’ve had the vaccine or not. You still need to wear your mask. This Delta variant is just overwhelming. Not only are elderly, but more so our individuals that are young. I mean we’ve had an increase in children getting COVID, we’ve had a lot of deaths lately of 30 to 40 something’s. We don’t need that,” said Kim Smith.

Teaming up with Columbus County Schools, the health department held three vaccination clinics  along with Starmed at East, West, and South Columbus High Schools the week of August 10, vaccinating around 250 parents, students, and staff members.

“It went well, I wish that a lot more people had shown up, not only parents, but students as well, and I believe most of the people showed up for their second vaccine,” said Smith.

Smith says the case numbers at the school are a firm reminder to the community that the coronavirus is still a threat to public health.

“The COVID virus and any kind of variant, –we’re just going through the Delta variant right now. I think we’re going to see more of this, and again the only way we can get rid of this virus, get rid of these masks are to get your vaccine, wash your hands frequently, wear your masks,” said Smith.

We made multiple attempts to reach out to Columbus County Schools for a comment, and were told by a spokesperson they did not have anyone available to speak.

“We all want a return to normal. Our students have suffered academically, athletically and socially because of the disruptions created by the pandemic. We need students back in school, but in order to do so, WE NEED YOUR HELP,” Columbus County Schools wrote in a news release. “Please curtail all social activities and gatherings to the greatest extent possible. If a gathering must happen, observe masks and social distancing. If there is a suspected exposure or symptoms in your home, do not send your students to school. Vaccines, if desired, are another way to avoid school closures and quarantines.”

The Columbus County Health Department will hold another round of vaccination clinics partnered with Columbus County Schools next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at East, West, and South Columbus High Schools.