Coronavirus Rumors Of More Cases Disputed By Cherokee Schools

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — After a Cherokee County private co-op school was temporarily closed when a student tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Cherokee County School District has denied rumors that there are more cases.

According to the Cherokee County School District on Wednesday, Living Science Home Studies was temporarily closed because a 15-year-old home-schooled student had recently taken some classes at the facility.

"On behalf of the superintendent, please be advised we are aware of false rumors circulating about coronavirus COVID-19 in Cherokee County," the district said Wednesday. "School officials have spoken with Georgia Department of Public Health officials today, and they reported there are no confirmed cases in Cherokee County. There are Cherokee County residents who have opted to self-quarantine in an abundance of caution based upon recent travel abroad."

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Gov. Brain Kemp said Monday night there were two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Fulton County: A 56-year-old father who had returned home from Italy and his son, who attends classes at a private co-op school for home school students that is located in Cherokee County.

“We have been informed that the co-op, Living Science Home Studies, is temporarily closed in response to the student’s diagnosis," the district said in a news release. "We do not oversee private schools or home-school students, but the Georgia Department of Health will notify us if any students who attend private school or who are home-schooled and are diagnosed with COVID-19 have a household connection to CCSD.

Social media posts are being circulated about this case that reference various CCSD schools as being affected, and those rumors are false. We are committed to transparency and will alert you immediately if we are informed by public health officials of any confirmed COVID-19 cases among our students or staff."

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According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the best way "to prevent infection with any respiratory virus is to use the same preventive strategies used during a normal cold and flu season":

• Get a flu shot every year.
• Wash hands regularly with warm water and soap.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness.

Public Health Guidance On Virus Prevention:

• Do not go to an emergency room unless absolutely essential. Those with symptoms including a cough, fever or other respiratory issues are advised to contact their regular doctor first.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• Commit to excellent personal hygiene, including regular hand-washing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Monitor the latest information on COVID-19 in Georgia and across the United States:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Georgia Department of Public Health

Globally, more than 97,000 people have been infected and over 3,300 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Wednesday afternoon. Of that total, more than 80,000 cases are in China, while the entire United States has 177 confirmed cases to date.

The disease is caused by a member of the coronavirus that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses.