25% of Lockland High School students will likely need to quarantine, superintendent says

LOCKLAND, Ohio (WXIX) - Lockland schools are switching their masking requirements saying 25% of their high school students will likely need to be quarantined, according to Superintendent Bob Longworth.

Longworth says the high school has two confirmed cases, with three more probable cases. If all of those students test positive, 45 students would need to be put in quarantine - which is about 25% of the high school’s population.

The superintendent said all the positive tests were in student-athletes.

Fully vaccinated students are not required to quarantine, according to the school.

Before Friday, masks were going to be an option. However, now Longworth says that needs to change. The schools will now require masks.

“We have reevaluated our position and we believe that to at least start the school year with universal masking of all students K-12 and staff keep our best chance to keep students in front of teachers,” he said. “Masked students are not required to quarantine. We are hoping this mandate will allow us to keep kids in class and keep them safe from the virus that appears to be spreading at this point.”

The entire Lockland High School football team is in quarantine, resulting in the postponement of Friday’s game against Reading.

According to the school’s Facebook post, they followed the guidelines set by Hamilton County Public Health for when a COVID-19 case is reported.

“Unfortunately, we are a very small team. With football competition being what it is and students huddled together during practice without masks on just to err on the side of caution we were advised to quarantine players resulting in the inability to compete tonight,” Longworth said.

Lockland High School is not the only team forced to postpone their game for Friday.

Several Lebanon Warriors players are in quarantine, which caused the school to postpone their game against Springboro.

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