DeKalb Schools Will Transition to All Virtual Learning Effective Wednesday, October 28

October 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Due to high numbers of positive COVID cases and quarantines among staff, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced that the DeKalb County School District will transition to virtual learning for all students beginning Wednesday, October 28.

“The anticipated date of return is November 11, however we will continue to monitor the numbers and will make adjustments as necessary. Our expectation is that all students will continue their education virtually through Google classroom,” said Director Cripps.

The following locations can be utilized for hotspots to download assignments if needed:

*DeKalb Middle School Parking Lot

*Northside Elementary School Parking Lot

*DeKalb West School Parking Lot

*DTC Office Smithville location (beside Walmart) 200 Walmart Drive

*DTC Office location in Alexandria at 111 High Street

*Community Center locations: Belk, Blue Springs, Temperance Hall, Keltonburg, and Midway.

“All schools will be thoroughly cleaned during this time. A meal schedule will also be provided and details about pickup locations will be provided in a later announcement,” said Director Cripps

October 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s number of active COVID-19 cases has jumped from 62 to 93 within the last five days. Fourteen new cases were documented just Tuesday, October 27.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health’s daily snapshot of DeKalb County as of Tuesday, October 27, there are now 93 active cases. The COVID related death count remains at 17 since March.

(Click Link Below for DeKalb County Report)
https://covid19.tn.gov/data/dashboards/?County=Dekalb

There have been 751 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 since March in DeKalb County , 30 have been hospitalized, and 641 are now inactive or have recovered.

Over the last seven days, (October 21-27), DeKalb County had an average daily case count of 74 or 51.6 per 100,000 residents per day. That’s up from 37 or 25.8 per 100,000 residents per day from October 16-22.

Over the last 14 days, (October 14 to October 27), DeKalb County’s average case count was 114 or 39.7 per 100,000 residents per day. An increase from 77 or 26.8 per 100,000 residents per day from October 9-22.

For the 14 days prior (September 30 to October 13), the case count was 63 or 22 per 100,000 residents per day. That’s up slightly from 61 or 21.3 per 100,000 residents per day from September 25 to October 8.

Over the last 7 days DeKalb County has averaged 70.57 tests per day (344.4 tests per 100,000 residents) and over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 13.6%, up from 9.9% on October 22.

October 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Another county official has been affected by COVID-19

County Mayor Tim Stribling announced today (Tuesday) that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is under quarantine. His office in the courthouse is currently closed. Stribling said his two staff members have also been tested for COVID-19 but their results are not yet known. If the staff test negative, Stribling said they plan to re-open the county mayor’s office on Monday, November 2.

This announcement comes one day after Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin announced that she and some members of her staff have also tested positive for COVID-19 and that her office is closed until Wednesday, November 4.

In making her announcement, Martin said “if someone was scheduled to be in court this week, it will be postponed until next week so if your court case is set for this Wednesday, October 28 or Thursday October 29 then you will need to come next week, November 4 or 5”.

“I am sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time,” said Martin.