BY EMILY CZACHOR ON 8/19/20 AT 11:36 AM EDT
Thousands of school-aged children tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Tennessee over the past two weeks, coinciding with students' return to classrooms across the state.
Data updated by the Tennessee Department of Health on Tuesday showed more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases diagnosed among young people between August 4 and August 18, with a handful of counties reporting upwards of 200 infections during the designated time period. Statistics accounted for positive cases reported in children between 5 and 18 years old. High school-aged children composed the largest fraction of Tennessee's new youth cases, making up more than half of the health department's two-week tally.
During a news conference, Lee explained that while school districts will inform their respective communities about closures prompted by COVID-19 outbreaks, the state will refrain from publishing information about case counts linked to schools. He said the decision was rooted in protecting the identities of children, and keeping their personal details away from the public sphere.
Thousands of school-aged children tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Tennessee over the past two weeks, coinciding with students' return to classrooms across the state.
Data updated by the Tennessee Department of Health on Tuesday showed more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases diagnosed among young people between August 4 and August 18, with a handful of counties reporting upwards of 200 infections during the designated time period. Statistics accounted for positive cases reported in children between 5 and 18 years old. High school-aged children composed the largest fraction of Tennessee's new youth cases, making up more than half of the health department's two-week tally.
During a news conference, Lee explained that while school districts will inform their respective communities about closures prompted by COVID-19 outbreaks, the state will refrain from publishing information about case counts linked to schools. He said the decision was rooted in protecting the identities of children, and keeping their personal details away from the public sphere.