STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - The Mississippi State Department of Health released coronavirus case numbers by school this week.
Four schools in the Starkville - Oktibbeha School District recorded double digit numbers of students who were quarantined because of exposure last week.
Nearly every school in the district saw at least one case among students this year.
Hollie Jones is a nurse at Partnership Middle School where 11 students were in quarantine last week.
Jones said along with wearing masks and regular temperature checks, the district is doing everything it can to keep its numbers down.
“We have a grab and go breakfast so they come through and get their breakfast and take it to the classroom but it’s in the halls so they’re not all in the cafeteria in the morning," she said. "We also keep them in one classroom so instead of the students changing classes, the teachers are moving around.”
When students do not feel well, Nurse Jones said she keeps them in an isolation room away from others until she knows the next step for that individual.
In addition to students, six of eight Starkville-Oktibbeha County Schools recorded having one or more teachers or staff members under quarantine.
Once a teacher tests positive, Jones said the school immediately contact traces to identify students and staff members at risk.
“I have seating charts from all the teachers so I can go to refer to that," said Jones. "They’re able to tell me, ‘well this is who I feel like I was around who should be close contact.’"
Despite the data, the nurse believes it is safe for students to enter the district's buildings.
“I feel like all the school’s in our district are doing everything they can to keep everyone safe and healthy.”