Students exit the the building at the end of the first day back to class at Natrona County High School in Casper Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The number of students and staff in Natrona County schools who are in quarantine has jumped significantly, numbers released Friday by the Natrona County School District show.
The district’s latest report shows 921 students and 151 staff — or roughly 7% of the district — are in quarantine. Those numbers reflect a two-week period.
Last week’s report, which only included one week’s worth of data, showed 384 students and 74 staff in quarantine.
The new, higher number of quarantines does not come as a surprise. Wyoming is in the midst of a prolonged spike in cases that began in mid-September. The spike, which led to a rise in hospitalizations and deaths, prompted a majority of Wyoming counties, including Natrona County, to adopt mask ordinances.
The district reported 66 positive cases of COVID-19 among students and staff in the past week. More than half of those cases were among students and staff at the district’s two largest facilities: Kelly Walsh and Natrona County high schools.
Last week, there were 77 positive cases.
At the press conference announcing the mask ordinance, NCSD Superintendent Mike Jennings said the district was facing staffing challenges due to the virus. The number of substitutes available to the district has declined, but teachers and other staff are picking up additional duties and classes to help, he explained.
Cases plateaued in Wyoming in late spring before beginning a spike in mid-June. As a result, state health officials decided against their plans to eliminate almost all coronavirus restrictions. State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist has continually extended most health restrictions.
Then, in mid-September, cases began increasing at a rate exponentially higher than anything seen here since the pandemic began — a trend that has not yet fallen off. Subsequent spikes in hospitalizations and deaths have followed.
Gov. Mark Gordon said last week he was considering a statewide face mask requirement but has not yet passed one. This week, the state placed new limits on the sizes of gatherings.
The symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Symptoms appear within two weeks. Health officials recommend self-isolating for two weeks if you have contact with a person who has the illness.
Photos: A look back at when Casper schools reopened
Back to School
Jessica Christian gives her son Tobias a kiss through their face masks as he is dropped off for his first day of kindergarten at Park Elementary School on Wednesday in Casper. Natrona County schools reopened to students for the first time since their sudden closure in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Back to School
Fourth grade students attending Park Elementary School line up across the road at the bus depot while waiting their turn to enter the school on Sept. 2, their first day back.
Back to School
Teachers at Park Elementary School in Casper lead students by grade into the school while following new health guidelines. Parents are not allowed inside school buildings without an appointment, one of the many measures put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Back to School
Students are required to wear face masks as they check in with attendants directing them to their school bus at the depot in downtown Casper Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Back to School
A Park Elementary School student rests her hand on the fence as other students play on the playground waiting for their turn to be let in the building on the first day of classes Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Casper. Students wore face masks and used had sanitizer.
Back to School
Fourth grade students at Park Elementary School cross the road with a teacher on Sept. 2 in Casper.
Back to School
Harley Guinn, left, talks with her mom through the fence at Park Elementary School in Casper on Sept. 2, the first day of school. Laramie County health officials say that masks are "key" to keeping schools there open.
Back to School
Parents wait outside Park Elementary School as their children are directed inside by grade level during the first day back to school on Wednesday. Students were required to wear masks if they couldn't socially distance.
Back to School
Students and administrators are directed to wear masks as they check in at the school bus depot in downtown Casper Wednesday, Sept. 2, on the first day back to school.
Back to School
Aliyah Fox stands outside the fence at Park Elementary School watching her daughter be directed in the school along with her fellow first grade class Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Casper.
Back to School
Natrona County senior Brady Dutcher talks about his first day back to school Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Casper.
Back to School
Students exit the the building at the end of the first day back to class at Natrona County High School in Casper Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Back to School
A car parked in the student lot at Natrona County High School is decorated celebrating senior year Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Casper.
Back to School
Students exit Natrona County High School at the end of the first day back to school since it closed in March.
Joshua Wolfson
Editor
Joshua Wolfson joined the Star-Tribune in 2007, covering crime and health before taking over the arts section in 2013. He also served as managing editor before being named editor in June 2017. He lives in Casper with his wife and their two kids.
