Secondary students at Jenks Public Schools will spend the next three weeks in distance learning due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases and quarantines within the district.
Secondary students at Jenks Public Schools will spend the next three weeks in distance learning due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases and quarantines within the district.
All students from grades seven through 12 — those at Jenks Middle School, Jenks High School, the Freshman Academy and the Alternative Center — will transition to remote instruction Monday. They are expected to return to the classroom Dec. 7.
In-person learning will continue for students in prekindergarten through sixth grades. All elementary and intermediate sites will remain open.
District officials say the decision to move only secondary students into distance learning is due primarily to a lack of adequate staffing.
“As more employees have been placed in isolation or quarantine, it has become difficult to find enough substitute teachers or other personnel to cover classrooms,” the district’s website says. “Without proper staffing, it is becoming increasingly difficult for (Jenks Public Schools) to maintain an optimal learning environment.
“The move to distance learning for this three-week period will provide more consistency for students as they will be able to interact with their own teachers on a regular basis. In addition, classified staff members and substitutes working at the secondary level can be temporarily reassigned to elementary and intermediate sites where they can provide effective relief and support.”
Some secondary students with special needs may still be able to continue in-person learning.
Jenks is the latest district in the Tulsa metro area to send its secondary students to distance learning in the coming weeks as the result of staffing and quarantine issues.
Bixby Public Schools has directed all high school students as well as those at North Elementary School to switch to distance learning for two weeks.
All high school and middle school students at Union Public Schools — in addition to students at Boevers Elementary School — have switched to distance learning through the end of next week.
All secondary students at Broken Arrow Public schools also have switched to remote instruction.
Additionally, Sand Springs Public Schools announced Wednesday morning that it would shift to the district’s distance-learning model for secondary schools beginning Thursday through the Thanksgiving break.
Tulsa Health Department’s Dr. Dart talks about Tulsa Public Schools returning to in-person instruction
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
