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COVID-19 cases continue to increase in schools with East Hall High School reporting 19 new cases among students and Sugar Hill Elementary documenting 13 new cases among its staff, according to a new report released by Hall County Schools. 

The report states that the School District has not seen this type of spread of cases since school has resumed.

"Over the past 48 hours, we have experienced isolated situations of COVID spread that we have not seen up until this time," the report states. "Double digit, new cases, single schools, with no contact-traced connection."

The report states that Sugar Hill Elementary is "struggling with staffing with 13 cases" and the District will continue to make changes at schools if necessary.

"A majority of unvaccinated community members continues to drive a spread of the new Delta variant," the report states. 

The total numbers of COVID-19 cases reported by the District include 35 staff members and 125 students. Those who are quarantined include 38 staff members and 712 students.  

The new report comes on the heels of mask mandates and requests for masks at some area schools. Students, staff and visitors at East Hall High School and Sugar Hill Elementary were asked to wear masks, while a fourth grade class at Sardis Elementary was required to wear face coverings after an increase in COVID-19 cases. 

Both the requests at East Hall High and Sugar Hill and the requirement to wear face coverings at Sardis began Tuesday, Aug. 17, and runs through Aug. 30. 

According to an email from Stan Lewis, spokesman for Hall County Schools, Sugar Hill has reported positive cases in three students and seven staff members. East Hall reported an increase of 15 cases on Monday, Aug. 16, in 14 students and one staff member.  

In a fourth grade class at Sardis, six students and one staff member have tested positive for COVID-19.

Lewis wrote in an email that the requests and requirement are for indoors only. He said district will continue to monitor COVID-19 numbers in all the schools and will adjust its mitigation plan when appropriate. Masks are recommended but not required in the district at large. 

Additional local data on COVID-19 can be found at gainesvilletimes.com/coronavirus. Hall County Schools updates its COVID-19 report weekly on Fridays, showing the number of cases per school.