Tuscaloosa City Schools: 200+ Students Positive For COVID-19

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools says 438 students were out after testing positive for COVID-19 or coming into close contact with a positive case, as of Thursday's update of the school system's data dashboard.

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The new cases for the school system come amid a disturbing rise in coronavirus hospitalizations, along with more children and younger patients requiring critical care. As Patch reported on Wednesday, DCH Health System logged 159 total inpatient cases in its latest update, with highs in both the ICU and patients being treated on ventilators.

Here's a look at some of the biggest takeaways

• 208 total students currently testing positive for COVID-19.
• Another 230 TCS students are out and in isolation due to coming in close contact with positive cases.
• Over the last week, there were 77 new cases confirmed among students, compared to 130 the week prior.
• Among faculty, four new cases were identified over the last week.
• Schools with highest percentages of students out due to COVID-19 or exposure: MLK Jr. Elementary (6.03%), Northridge Middle (3.85%), Westlawn Middle (3.83%), Verner Elementary (3.08), Central High (2.75%).
• Since the beginning of the fall semester on Aug. 12, TCS reports 309 total coronavirus cases identified among students.

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