Cherokee Coronavirus Update: 266 Cases, 8 Deaths; School Update

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — There are 266 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and eight coronavirus-related deaths in Cherokee County, as of Friday morning, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

In Cherokee County, these numbers mean there are more than 102.7 positive cases of the coronavirus for every 100,000 people.

Here's the breakdown of deaths in Cherokee County by age:

• 60-69: 1 death
• 70-79: 3 deaths
• 80-89: 1 death
• 90+: 3 deaths

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Here are the latest updates from Cherokee County:

SCHOOLS

Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that all K-12 schools in Georgia will remain closed for in-person instruction for the remainder of this school year.

The Cherokee County School Board unanimously approved Thursday night Cherokee Schools Superintendent Brian Hightower recommendation to end school early on May 8 and to postpone a decision on high school graduation ceremonies until July 1.

Hightower said his recommendations were made using input from thousands of district parents, teachers and high school students, who responded to surveys on the issues.

“These are important decisions that I know we could make on our own, using our knowledge and experience as educators and leaders, but we also are a family," Hightower said, noting that other factors, including student online learning participation and performance data and school administrator feedback, also were considered. "We can’t gather around a kitchen table to talk about what’s best, but we can ask and listen. Just like in decisions we make with our own families, we’re not always going to all agree, but we do our best. These decisions, I believe, are for the best.”

Board members shared their appreciation for teachers and staff and their nimble transition to online learning, as well as for the strong support shown by Cherokee County parents and the community as a whole.

“I appreciate the effort they’re putting in to make us successful … kudos to everyone who’s been involved with that,” School board member Mike Chapman said of teachers and staff. “It’s amazing the amount of work that kids are doing and the learning that’s going on.”

Chapman also noted the years of district leadership and school board support for instructional technology and the significant investment in technology infrastructure by taxpayers through Education SPLOST over the last 20 years. “The work that has been done in the past and the work that is being done today is paying dividends,” he said.

School board Chair Kyla Cromer shared an inspiring tribute to students she found online, which ended with: “I’m proud of our kids because they stayed in. They weathered the storm. They felt sad. They stayed connected. They adapted to a new way of learning. They showed up. They did the right thing.”

Teachers will work from May 9-22 with students who need more time and help to complete assignments and tests to pass classes, and will continue preparing high school students for AP course exams to potentially earn college credit. Final grades will be issued on May 22 in Canvas for high school students, and through emailed report cards for elementary and middle school students. Prior to May 22, the district also will provide parents with links to available online resources for students who want to continue their learning over the summer. A plan for Cherokee Schools’ annual summer school remediation and credit recovery program is still being developed.

Related: Updates On Grades, Graduation, Tests For Georgia Students

School board member Clark Menard asked about what the start of next school year will look like following so much time away from the traditional school day. Hightower shared that he and his curriculum and instruction leadership staff are developing models to assess students’ mastery of standards and provide any needed remediation.

A decision on class of 2020 high school graduation ceremonies will be postponed until July 1. If social distancing guidelines have changed substantially by July 1 to allow for traditional ceremonies, they will be scheduled at a location and on a schedule to be determined. If large gatherings remain a public health risk as of July 1, a virtual ceremony will be planned.

"No matter which outcome, each graduate will receive their diploma and, based upon their request and supported by their parents’ responses, a keepsake cap and gown," Hightower said. "More importantly, no matter the outcome, I know that we, as a community, will ensure our class of 2020 is congratulated and celebrated. I am incredibly proud of each of them."

At Cromer’s request, Hightower has directed his staff to, as soon as possible, set a proposed schedule for possible in-person ceremonies in July, which will be shared with families along with a reminder that these dates are tentative.

“Being the mom of a senior, your child missing a lot of milestones, has been hard,” School board Vice Chair Kelly Poole, whose son is a member of Woodstock High’s class of 2020, said with audible emotion. “We’re going to get through this together. Hang in there.”

Many have asked about how the continued school closure will affect cleaning out lockers and retrieving students’ other belongings; summer programs; and the first day of school.

"Over the next few days, we will develop a plan to allow students to retrieve remaining belongings and return textbooks, technology and other school materials," Hightower said. "As of today, we plan to offer summer school programs in some form, with the details still being planned. The first day of school remains scheduled for Aug. 3. We will continue to keep you informed. We are all in this together — another lesson we have re-learned, and I hope we always will remember."

The #CCSDserves to-go meal distribution will continue every Monday during the school closure for as long as possible.

This week, the district served 3,675 students, and over the last month served more than 155,000 meals. The program costs $100,000 a week, and the district said it greatly appreciates donations, which now total $90,000. The distribution schedule and details on how to donate are online.

If you need help with assignments or technology, contact your child’s teacher; Canvas help is online. The district is continuously updating its web page with information and resources.

BUSINESSES

Not everything is closed in Cherokee County because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many essential businesses are still open to provide services such as food take-out, eye care and more. We've created a simple small business directory to help residents see what's open in Cherokee County.

Canton businesses have shared their information, which we've compiled here.

Woodstock businesses have shared their information, which we've compiled here.

HOSPITALS

The Georgia Department of Public Health has created a Specimen Point of Collection in Cherokee County, which opened March 23. At this time, testing is not open to the public and will be limited to persons 60 and older with symptoms of coronavirus.

On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Public Health said it is increasing the number of specimen collection sites statewide for coronavirus testing, and is revising the current testing criteria to handle more testing of Georgia residents.

In Cherokee County, the North Georgia Health District will serve the community, with a testing line at 1-888-881-1474.

See more: GA Coronavirus: Testing Now Offered By Local Health Departments

LONG-TERM FACILITIES

The Georgia Department of Public Health has updated a report that shows coronavirus cases in long-term care facilities based on data provided as of Sunday. The data in the report is contingent on what information has been provided to, and verified by, the Department of Public Health. It is possible that a facility is reporting different numbers to different entities, but unless it has been verified by the Department of Public Health, it will not be included in the weekly report. This report is subject to change.

In Cherokee County, there are four long-term facilities in the report:

• Benton House, 3385 Trickum Rd., Woodstock, GA 30188
  • 10 cases
  • 1 death
• Legacy Ridge At Neese Road, 756 Neese Rd., Woodstock, GA 30188
  • 1 case
• Oaks At Towne Lake, 4580 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30189
  • 2 cases
• Retreat At Canton, 333 E Cherokee Dr., Canton, GA 30115
  • 14 cases
  • 1 death