More than 60 students and staff quarantined from Pee Dee school district

MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Officials with the Marlboro County School District said they have quarantined 66 students and teachers following exposure to COVID-19.

Approximately 33 staff members and 33 students, including the girl’s basketball team, are currently quarantined according to data provided to WMBF News by the Marlboro County School District.

The data, updated Tuesday afternoon, shows six students and nine staff members are currently out following positive COVID-19 tests.

Marlboro County School Board members were updated Monday night on cases within the district during a board meeting. They were also updated on the district administration’s decision to not offer rapid COVID-19 testing at schools.

The main reason for the decision is onsite testing would go against the district’s safety protocols already in place, according to presentation slides provided by the school district.

The presentations state “in order for test to be used, the person must show signs of symptoms of COVID-19.”

Marlboro County Schools has asked anyone who has symptoms to stay home and get tested on their own.

So far, according to district data, more than 65 students and staff members in Marlboro County School District have tested positive for COVID-19 between July 1 and Dec. 7.

School District Superintendent Dr. Gregory McCord took to Facebook Tuesday to address the situation.

Copyright 2020 WMBF. All rights reserved.