Why are Bibb classes still virtual? Macon has been ‘severely hit by COVID-19’
While most Middle Georgia schools, including Macon’s private and charter schools, have returned to at least some in-person classes, the Bibb County School District continues to offer only virtual education.
On Monday, Superintendent Curtis Jones published a blog post detailing his decision to offer online classes while other schools in the region head back to classrooms.
“Bibb County is one of the counties most severely hit by COVID-19,” Jones wrote. “We are being affected more than others. So, when people ask me why we aren’t like others, the answer is because the numbers indicate that we have just been more severely hit.”
Jones wrote that Bibb County has reported more COVID-19 cases and deaths than any of the other 13 counties served by the North Central Health District, which includes Baldwin, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe and Peach counties. As of Monday afternoon, the Georgia Department of Public Health had reported almost 6,000 cumulative COVID-19 cases and 157 deaths in Bibb County.
Returning to in-person instruction
Over the course of the next few weeks, some Bibb County students will return to in-class instruction, according to Jones.
“Our Program for Exceptional Children team conducted IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings with about 2,000 parents prior to the start of the school year... “ Jones wrote. “Through careful analysis of these meetings, it became evident that a phased-in approach would be needed for the subset of students with significant needs in Access classes. These are some students who we have identified as just not being able to receive the quality of instruction that we think is necessary virtually.”
Jones wrote his goal is to get back to “normal” as soon as possible.
“We are working as quickly as we can to get to a sense of normalcy for everyone,” Jones wrote “I thank you for what you’ve done, I thank you for what you are doing, and I’m very thankful that you have allowed us to continue to educate your children virtually.”
How other school districts have fared
While no Middle Georgia schools have had to close due to COVID-19 cases, many across the region have reported cases. The Houston County School District, which returned to in-person classes on Aug. 6, provides regular COVID-19 updates on its website. As of Sept. 21, 92 students and 35 employees had tested positive.
As of Sept. 15 In Monroe County, five students have tested positive for COVID-19 and another 148 have been quarantined due to potential exposure. In addition to the students, eight staff members have tested positive and another 25 have been quarantined due to potential exposure. The Crawford County School District has also reported cases.
Perry and Westfield high schools have canceled multiple football games this season due to cases and exposures among student athletes.
Middle Georgia COVID-19 cases
Below are the most recent COVID-19 numbers from the Georgia Department of Health for Bibb County and surrounding counties including those in the NCHD.
- Bibb 5,963 cases - 157 deaths
- Houston 3,058 - 77
- Baldwin 2,058- 55
- Laurens 1,587- 62
- Washington 654 - 8
- Monroe 660 - 48
- Peach 659 - 21
- Jones 532- 8
- Bleckley 427 - 19
- Dodge 401 - 11
- Wilkinson 332 - 17
- Pulaski 310 - 13
- Macon 227 - 10
- Twiggs 184- 7
- Crawford 165 - 4
In cases per 100,000 people, Baldwin County leads Middle Georgia with 4,632. Bibb County is second with 3,919. The lowest in the area is in Crawford County with 1,349.