(Port City Daily photo/file)
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Ninety-seven staff and students in New Hanover County Schools tested positive for Covid-19 this week, including 20 individuals at Laney High School. One hundred and five people were assigned to quarantine for exposure within the buildings, according to the
Trask Middle, Murray Middle, Murrayville Elementary and New Hanover High are all reporting five or more cases this week.
In emails, spokespeople for NHCS and New Hanover County stated there are no identified clusters at this time. A cluster is confirmed when health officials determine five or more cases are linked by time or proximity, but Kate Oelslager, New Hanover County communications and outreach coordinator, said in an email the Covid-19 cases originated through contacts and events outside of the schools.