Action News Jax Investigates: 3 local schools’ COVID-19 cases among highest in Florida, per report

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax Investigates has uncovered that three area schools have some of the highest COVID-19 case totals in the state of Florida.

The team obtained a 31-page state report listing COVID-19 data for schools statewide from Sep. 6 through Nov. 14.

Action News Jax organized data from hundreds of schools in the report by their case totals.

Third on the list for the largest number of total cases through Nov. 14 is Fletcher High School in Duval County with 57 cases. Baker County High School came in fifth with 45 cases, and

Nease High School in St. Johns is tied for sixth with 43 cases.

Action News Jax spoke to parents at Fletcher High, which reported six new cases on Monday, as they showed up to pick up their children ahead of Thanksgiving break. Those we spoke to say they’ve been following the recommended guidelines at home.

“My 10th grader has health issues. So, yeah, we are concerned with that,” said Heather Seconder, a parent at Fletcher High School. “We are concerned. Hopefully, everybody doesn’t go and create COVID and bring it back to school.”

Action News Jax reached out to Duval, St. Johns and Baker counties’ school districts for comments and messages to families ahead of the holiday season.

A spokesperson for the Duval County Public School said the state’s cumulative data around Fletcher High is mostly from the past.

“You’ll remember we converted [Fletcher High School] to Duval HomeRoom as a result of an October outbreak that the Department of Health linked to social activities outside of school,” said DCPS Chief of Marketing and Public Relations Tracy Pierce. “As families prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we encourage everyone to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control for minimizing the spread, Wear those face coverings, maintain social distance, and wash hands frequently. We’ve developed a series of videos called ‘Team Up for Health’ to help amplify the CDC’s recommendations, which you can find here: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/29505. Video 8 on that link is a joint project with UF Health and may be of interest.”

The St. Johns County school district stated there are many reasons for cases around the state, and issued a reminder for parents to practice COVID-19 safety during Thanksgiving break.

“Continue to follow the CDC guidelines and recommendations for celebrating with family and friends during the holidays,” a St. Johns School District spokesperson told Action News Jax.

Action News Jax reached out to Baker County’s superintendent by phone and text for comment. We will update you once there’s a response.

Cox Media Group