MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDHN) – Only two Wiregrass school districts had an increase in COVID-19 positive cases among students and staff compared to last week’s data.

School nurses are required to report cases to the Alabama Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the State Department of Education, as a way for local districts and stakeholders to make informed decisions about the safety and well-being of students and staff. 

Many school districts across the state, including several districts in the Wiregrass, either started the school year with a mask requirement or initiated the requirement in August after a surge in cases. Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama’s state school Superintendent, decided earlier this year to leave the decision of mask requirements inside school buildings up to local districts. 

On Tuesday, September 7, lead school nurses at Alabama public school districts were required to begin reporting the number of cases to ADPH.  Based on information updated Friday on the COVID-19 K-12 school dashboard, only Enterprise City Schools and Henry County Schools saw a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Wiregrass.  The Enterprise City Schools district saw an increase of five COVID-19 cases while Henry County Schools reported an increase of one positive COVID-19 case, compared to the previous Friday. 

A substantial decrease in virus cases was seen in several school districts, including Houston County Schools which saw a drop of around 50 cases in the past week. 

Geneva City Schools reported less than five cases total in the district Friday, and beginning Monday, September 20, faculty, staff and students who attend that district will no longer be required to wear a mask at school.

Here is a breakdown of COVID-19 cases inside each school district, reported Friday through ADPH:

COFFEE COUNTY SCHOOLS –  27

DALE COUNTY SCHOOLS –  13

DALEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS  –  5

DOTHAN CITY SCHOOLS  –  23

ELBA CITY SCHOOLS  –  11

ENTERPRISE CITY SCHOOLS  –  33

GENEVA CITY SCHOOLS  –   <5

GENEVA COUNTY SCHOOLS   –  14 

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS –    24

HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS –  38

OZARK CITY SCHOOLS  –  29