LANCASTER, S.C. — As kids are set to return to the classroom in South Carolina on Monday, pediatric COVID-19 cases are surging.
A 16-year-old from Lancaster County died due to complications from the virus Friday, the teenager went to Andrew Jackson High School.
The death comes less than a week before South Carolina schools start class.
At least 10 people in South Carolina under the age of 20 have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, according to the SCDHEC dashboard.
In Lancaster County, School Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Phipps says school hasn't started yet, and he has a number of staff down with COVID-19.
"We have a number of teachers that are out, bus drivers, administrators, maintenance workers, you name it," Phipps said.
Under current state law, school districts can't require face masks.
“I'm getting tons of emails from parents, saying, you know, we need to do more," said Phipps, "I just respond and say 'you're right, and I wish we could,' but you know, our hands are tied.”
Still, Dr. Phipps is encouraging parents to choose to have their children wear masks. With teacher shortages, bus driver shortages and a rising number of cases, Phipps is worried about his staff and students.
"I've lost a lot of sleep in the last couple of weeks because I just don't feel like we're doing enough to keep kids safe," said Phipps.
Health officials also encourage face coverings.
"I hope the school year will look like, is that our students our staff and visitors to the schools will adopt the recommendations," Dr. Linda Bell said.
As the delta variant spreads, Gov. Henry McMaster encouraged vaccination for those who are eligible.
"Mandating masks is not the answer, personal responsibility is the answer," Gov. McMaster said.
Starting Monday, Fort Mill School District students will be back full-time, five days a week. From suggesting masks, to the installation of an air purification system aimed to kill the virus, the district spokesperson, Joe Burke says pandemic safety precautions are in place.
"Right now our current enrollment is currently sitting around 17,900 students," Burke said.
When school starts, desks will be three feet apart. The quarantine protocols will be different for fully vaccinated students and teachers, who won't have to quarantine after exposure.
The school district asking for patience as they continue to navigate the pandemic.
"Everything to deal with over the last year and a half has been an up and down, and we understand that our teachers and parents and community, everybody has a little bit of anxiety and angst," Burke said. "We're going to continue to do what we did last year our teachers and community are going to come together."
There are around 550 kids enrolled in virtual learning.
Vaccinations aren't required, but at the end of this month, they plan to have a vaccination clinic for students and faculty.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Contact Indira Eskieva at ieskieva@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.