Coronavirus in Tampa Bay schools: a weekly update

This is an abbreviated version of the Tampa Bay Times weekly report on coronavirus in the local schools. Districts are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday and detailed reporting will resume on Nov. 30.

Consult this map for up-to-date case counts in Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas and Pasco districts.

High schools continue to be by far the biggest reporters. Newsome and Plant high schools in Hillsborough lead the list, with 54 and 51 cases respectively.

Sunlake High School in Pasco reported nine cases on Friday and 22 for the week, with 385 students sent into quarantine.

Pasco school leaders are so worried that superintendent Kurt Browning announced Friday that, until things improve, spectators will not be allowed at sporting events and student performances.

Superintendent Kurt Browning: “I know it just won’t be the same without an audience and spectators. However, we feel this is a reasonable compromise that will be effective in keeping infection rates under control.” https://t.co/u9hCC47vRJ
— Tampa Bay Times (@TB_Times) November 20, 2020

In Pinellas, Clearwater High School sent its football team into quarantine on Tuesday after that school’s sixth case of the year. Two more cases were reported at Clearwater on Wednesday and Thursday.

Case counts throughout the region are on the rise, and this week was no exception.

The four counties reported a total of 393 cases this past week, for a total of 2,708 so far this semester.

Colleges and universities:

Since Nov. 15, the University of South Florida reported that 47 students and 16 employees across the school’s campuses have tested positive. Cases listed are those that students, faculty or the health department report to the university and those who test positive at the Student Health Center.

Since Nov. 13, the University of Tampa reported 16 students who tested positive. The school also reported 718 of its 805 reported cases from the beginning of the semester have recovered as “symptom free and not contagious.” Cases reported are those who self-report or are diagnosed at the student health center.

Over the same period, St. Petersburg College reported six cases across its 13 campuses and Hillsborough Community College reported 19 cases across its four campuses. Eckerd College reported three active cases of residential students this week.

Previous reports: