A new school year is getting under way, with students across Louisiana heading back to class this week and next week. Unfortunately for students and teachers alike, the state is seeing an uptick in COVID cases as campuses reopen.
According to the most recent data released by the Louisiana Department of Health, the average number of new cases per week nearly doubled in the first three weeks of July. For the week of July 1-7, the average number of new COVID cases was 225.9. For the week of July 17-23—the last week reported on the dashboard as of August 7—that average stood at 435.4.
What’s more: the state is seeing COVID rates among school-aged children jump as the school year begins. According to the LDH’s dashboard, the number of COVID cases among children ages 5 through 17 jumped from 86 on June 29 to 222 on July 20.
Doctors urge parents not to panic, but they also urge parents to make sure their children are vaccinated before going back to school or have their booster shots if they are already vaccinated. Doctors also remind parents, teachers, and students alike to practice good hygiene, including regular hand washing.
