| By Bob Weaver
COVID-19 is taking a toll on Calhoun Schools, according to information released Thursday by Superintendent Kelli Whytsell, including schools in other parts of WV.
Whytsell said this is a trying time for students, parents and the school family.
The WV-DHHR Dashboard is showing the most recent cases in West Virginia are in two age groups, ages 5-11 and 12-15. Children under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for vaccinations.
Whytsell said, since school opened, 63 students in Calhoun Schools have COVID-19, with nine teachers and five service personnel.
A total of 300 students have been quarantined since school opened, with a total of 230 students currently quarantined. Whytsell said, "This changes daily with students being released from quarantine."
Fourteen Calhoun teachers have been quarantined with four service personnel since school opened.
55.9% percent of students were absent from Arnoldsburg Elementary on Wednesday with 41% percent absent from Calhoun Middle-High School on Wednesday.
Calhoun has 26 new cases just on Thursday, with the state saying most are with children and the non-vaccinated.
Last week, Calhoun appeared to have new active cases at 38, with 125 new cases during the past twelve days.
Calhoun has a low vaccination rate.
"We are working hard to keep everyone healthy during this pandemic. I encourage everyone to wear a mask and social distance," Whytsell said.
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