Volusia, Flagler schools report 176% increase in COVID-19 cases this school year

Schools in Volusia and Flagler counties reported 176% more COVID-19 cases this school year than in the 2020-21 school year, according to data provided by the school districts and local health departments.

The Volusia County School District ended the year with 6,186 COVID-19-positive students and employees, according to the district's COVID-19 dashboard. Last school year, the district reported 2,467 cases.

In Flagler County, this school year ended with 2,156 COVID-19-positive employees and students, according to data provided by the school district and Florida Department of Health-Flagler. Last school year, the district reported 552 cases.

Combined, that's 8,342 COVID-19 cases across both districts for the 2021-22 school year. For the 2020-21 school year, districts reported a combined 3,019 cases.

'The world is worse without him': Over 500 attend candlelight vigil for NSB junior Siddharth Sukhdeo

More: Flagler junior Jack Petocz gets mark on permanent record for 'Don't Say Gay' walkout

Amazing Teacher: Flagler-born Matanzas High English teacher encourages open discussion

Why did we see a huge rise in cases in local schools?

What caused such a drastic uptick in cases this school year?

The 2020-21 school year included widespread virtual learning in both districts, as well as mask mandates, social distancing requirements and strict cleaning protocols. Protective measures were also in place countywide and statewide.

At the beginning of 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine became available to the general public. As the vaccine rolled out among different age groups over the first few months of 2021, Florida shifted toward reopening businesses, returning to work and school in-person, and participating in group activities again. Physical barriers were removed from between students' desks, Florida law prohibited mask mandates, and virtual learning began to fade into the background.

And COVID-19 itself evolved from 2020 to 2021. As school resumed in August, the delta variant surge was in full swing statewide. The delta variant has so far been the most deadly variant of COVID-19.

"Like all school districts across the state, Flagler Schools was able to keep the doors open to all our campuses throughout this past school year," said Jason Wheeler, spokesman for the Flagler County School District. "We leaned on guidance from our local and state health officials and the CDC when it came to holding classes in a safe and healthy manner."

Nancy Gonzalez, community information specialist for the Volusia County School District, said the process for keeping track of student and employee COVID-19 cases was smoother this school year.

When a student tests positive for COVID-19, they miss school, which puts them behind in classes.

"Anytime a student is absent from class it is a hardship to keep up," Gonzalez said. "Students have time to make up the work and are given resources and support to help them get back on track. Teachers also have office hours, tutoring time and schoolwide study programs to help all students close the learning gap. If students take advantage of all the support offered, they can catch up and can even excel in the coursework."

Wheeler said the Flagler County School District worked with students, their families and teachers to keep students engaged when they were out of class.

"Teachers and administrators did all they could to ensure students were able to complete any assignments they may have missed due to a 'stay at home' directive," Wheeler said.

Nikki Ross covers K-12 education, health and COVID-19 for the Daytona Beach News-Journal. She can be reached at nikki.ross@news-jrnl.com or follow her on Twitter @nikkiinreallife.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia, Flagler schools report 176% more COVID cases in 2021-22