
by Jackie Nunnery
HEATHSVILLE—Just days after reopening to in-person hybrid learning on Monday, December 7, Northumberland County Public Schools (NCPS) closed all school buildings from Thursday, December 10, through Friday, January 8.
An announcement posted on the school website indicated the closings were due to “an increase of COVID-19 cases affecting schools.”
Northumberland superintendent Dr. Holly Wargo later said there were “cases of diagnosed COVID-19 and situations involving close contacts and mandated quarantines” related to students and employees. While the uptick in the county’s cases is a factor, Wargo said that is was “mostly staff testing positive and/or needing to quarantine after the Thanksgiving break.” There were also concerns of “students and suspected COVID-like symptoms.”
Students will start the winter break December 21 and return on January 4. Wargo said the additional week of virtual learning would provide time for…