In only the first few weeks of school, FHS has begun to see the negative effect COVID-19 has had on students and staff, with a large increase in positive cases. This rise is possibly because people traveled throughout the summer and brought back the COVID-19 virus with them. 

According to Leslie Cannon, Fremont’s Attendance Technician, there are currently about 10-15 reported cases of COVID per week. This is a significant increase compared to the rate of cases at the end of last year and as flu season approaches we can only expect the absences to increase.

The school’s mandate requires that students stay home for five days from the initial positive test, which can affect school work and keeping up with school. Students are not required to show a negative test to the school upon their return but they must stay home during the five-day recovery period. Students may miss even more days, due to the sickness causing fatigue, headaches and a cough. Most teachers have given students a grace period for missing work but work builds up as time continues. 

This surge has affected me personally as well. This rise has caused me to contract COVID and miss four days of school. Thankfully, staff and teachers have been doing their best to be flexible with students’ absences. I was able to catch up in adequate time, however, for students who are out for longer, the adjustment might not be as easy. Communication and collaboration with teachers were key to keeping my grades up, and I recommend any student who is out of school for sickness to do the same. 

This rise is not only seen at a local level but at a state level as well. Once again, knowing that California is a travel destination, we can assume that travel is the main contributor to the rise we see in these cases. 

NBC Bay Area reported that California’s positivity test rate for COVID-19 is up over 13% from the 3% at the start of summer. in their recent article on the rise of cases as of recent. With this increase, there have been no mask mandates or stay-in-place protocols enforced yet. The state is still encouraging residents to stay on top of their vaccinations and be safe and healthy. 

As a school, it is encouraged to keep an eye out for COVID-19 and test when symptoms arise. Please help everyone stay safe by testing regularly and wearing a mask when you feel sick.