Onslow County Schools Sees 89% Drop In Quarantines After Implementing Mask Requirement

Onslow County Schools said they’ve seen an 89% decrease in student quarantines three weeks after implementing masking requirements.  According to a news release, the number of students excluded from school after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 peaked at more than 2,300 on September 9^th.  Data reported Friday indicated 251 students were actively excluded from classes.  Prior to the masking policy, not all students were wearing face coverings.  On Sept. 7^th the Onslow County Board of Education voted 6-1 to make face coverings mandatory for all students, staff, and visitors. The release said guidelines adopted by the Board of Education allow students identified as close contacts to not be excluded from school if all involved in the COVID exposure were appropriately wearing face coverings.