192 positive COVID-19 cases reported in Orange County Public Schools ahead of face-to-face instruction, union says

Thousands of parents in Central Florida’s largest school district are sending their children back into Orange County classrooms Friday morning.

There have been 192 positive COVID-19 cases in Orange County Public Schools and worksites from June 1 to Aug. 19, according to data obtained by the teachers union.

The cases were identified at an unknown number of schools and worksites, according to the teachers union.

Read: Concerns over COVID-19 testing availability raised in Orange County as in-person instruction looms

On Aug. 17, the Ninth Judicial Circuit ordered the school district turn over a list of all worksites where there are or have been confirmed COVID-19 cases and the total districtwide number of confirmed COVID-19.

The district failed to meet the deadline, and the union said it is still waiting for the complete records. The list the union received contained a mix or worksite names and job titles.

The list of places where someone tested positive for COVID-19 includes Lake Como, Lovell Elementary School, Oak Hill Elementary School and Winter Park High School. However, names and dates were redacted from the list.

See the full list below:

“You have to know where cases are so you can make a fact-based decision on whether or not you want to enter that building. Teachers should have that information to protect themselves and their families,” union President Wendy Doromal said.

Read: Florida Education Association argues mandate requiring schools to reopen is unconstitutional

The union said the data “underscores the dangerous reality that thousands of educators and students face as they return to in-person instruction tomorrow.”

Last week, Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins said the district cannot guarantee social distancing in every classroom, and face masks will be mandatory.

Cox Media Group