A week after their drive-by graduation, some graduates of a school in Atlanta were reported to be positive for COVID-19. This data was confirmed in a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC).
Because of the coronavirus, schools did not just close, activities in school were also canceled. Among these canceled activities include the traditional graduation ceremonies.
READ ALSO: Class of 2020 Alternative Graduations: Drive-in, Virtual, and Other Socially Distanced Ceremonies
Some schools have chosen to be creative by conducting online or virtual graduations. However, others chose drive-by graduation ceremonies, just like the Lovett School in Buckhead, Atlanta.
In an email sent to parents by the school, it was stated that a graduating senior who came to the drive-by graduation, tested positive for the COVID-19. The head of the school, Meredyth Cole and head nurse, Shana Horan, also said in the email that the confirmed cases have heightened to "several" students.
Did the students contract the virus during the drive-by graduation?
It is still unclear whether the graduates got the virus during the drive-by graduation.
The student who was initially reported to have tested positive for the virus has not been identified. According to the school authorities, the student was in their family's car during the entire drive-by graduation. However, this student was joined by friends for a graduation gathering after the event. It was also indicated in the email that this student went out of town with friends.
COVID-19 positive students' status after the drive-by graduation
School authorities of the Lovett School said that the student is at their home recovering from the virus. As of Friday, the student is only reported to have mild symptoms.
Moreover, the condition of the other students who are also sick was not immediately learned by the school.
The Lovett School has yet disclosed the number of students that tested positive. According to school officials, the families who tested positive are already coordinating with the Department of Health.
The drive-by graduation followed social distancing protocols
According to a statement issued by the Lovett School officials, all students and their family members were inside the cars during the entire ceremony. Officials noted that a total of 75 school employees joined and cheered for the graduates during the ceremony. Even so, they were socially-distanced from each other.
The spokesperson of the Lovett School also mentioned that the only school-sanctioned activity was the drive-by graduation. Other activities after that were no longer part of the school's initiative.
Classes at the Lovett School have been canceled since mid-March. They have conducted virtual classes since the middle of April.
Health Officials Warn About Gatherings Like Drive-By Graduation and Parties
Ince the surge of the coronavirus, health officials highly discourage public gatherings. Along with that, they also strictly remind the public to wash their hands and wear masks frequently. These protocols are implemented to avoid the further spread of the virus.
Cases of coronavirus in the United States have reached almost 41,000, according to reports. Also, by Monday afternoon, there have been 1,799 deaths recorded due to the virus.
