Union Public Schools students in grades six and higher in addition to those at Boevers Elementary School will transition to distance learning for two weeks, the district announced Tuesday evening.
All students in grades six to 12, as well as the elementary students at Boevers, will begin learning remotely Thursday and continue until Nov. 20. They will return to school Nov. 30 after Thanksgiving break.
Union administrators said the transition to distance learning is necessary due to a shortage of substitute teachers and a lack of bus drivers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Virtual students will continue with their regular coursework and will otherwise be unaffected,” a news release states. “For now, in-person students in grades pre-K through 5, with the exception of Boevers, will remain at school unless further action is deemed necessary.”
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A plan for pickup meal service will be announced Wednesday. Meanwhile, buses for Union High School students who attend classes at Tulsa Tech will continue to run.
Union High School reportedly had 11 students and three staff members under quarantine as of Monday after testing positive for COVID-19, while another 158 students and employees were being quarantined for close contact. The Freshman Academy had six positive cases among students.
At Boevers, two students and two employees were under quarantine after testing positive, while another 73 individuals were under quarantine for close contact.
Union is the latest district in the Tulsa metro to switch some of its schools to distance learning as the result of staffing shortages and high COVID-19 infection rates.
In Broken Arrow, all students at Centennial Middle School, Sequoyah Middle School, Aspen Creek Early Childhood Center, Broken Arrow High School, the Freshman Academy, Options Academy and Early College High School are making the transition for two weeks.
The closures there are blamed on worsening transmission rates in the community, as well as quarantines among support staff, bus drivers and other essential workers.
In Bixby, all high-schoolers and students at North Elementary will spend the next two weeks in distance learning, as well.
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Saint Francis CEO Jake Henry Jr. said Oklahoma has always had a shortage of doctors and nurses, especially in rural areas, even before the pandemic.
Gallery: COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
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
