CDC Report On Outbreak At Marin College Is A Primer For In-Particular person Studying – CBS San Francisco
NOVATO (KPIX) – An in-depth report from the Centers for Disease Control highlighting a serious COVID-19 outbreak at a school in Marin County gives a clear picture of the do’s and don’ts for schools reopening in full.
The outbreak occurred at Our Lady of Loretto School in Novato in May 2021. The new details of how an unvaccinated teacher inadvertently spreads the virus is having a greater impact on all school communities.
CONTINUE READING: COVID: Unvaccinated teachers in Marin County infected students in May Delta variant outbreak
An unvaccinated teacher who showed symptoms nonetheless worked at the school for two days before receiving a test and infected at least 26 others, including students, parents and siblings.
“I think it caused a lot of suffering to the school and the students,” said mother Annie Smith.
A seating map detailed in the CDC report shows how the nameless teacher quickly spread the virus to half the classroom in late May, infecting 8 out of 10 students in the first two rows.
“This is our largest outbreak in the county that we have investigated to date,” said Dr. Lisa Santora from Marin Health and Human Services.
The teacher read aloud to the students but did not wear a mask.
CONTINUE READING: COVID: Bay Area health officials reaffirm face-to-face training amid Delta variant concerns
Dr. Lisa Santora is one of the authors of the report, which is based on 230+ on-campus tests, contact tracing, and whole genome sequencing, showing the highly transmissible Delta variant even in vaccinated adults.
“With the alpha variant, one or two other people could get sick if you were sick. With the Delta variant, we see the attack rate between five and six people, ”said Dr. Santora.
It’s the perfect example of how the combination of the unvaccinated and no mask can lead to widespread transmission in school that is preventable.
Layered protection, including masking, staying home with symptoms, and getting vaccinations when allowed, can keep schools open and safe for personal learning.
“It was pretty crazy, but we are glad that you are back in school now and can experience it again in person,” said Dr. Santora.
Health experts say if this can happen in Marin County, where it’s heavily vaccinated, the consequences can be much worse in largely unvaccinated communities across the country.
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KPIX contacted the school and the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which oversees the parish schools in Marin County, but so far there has been no response.
