In-person graduations canceled for Muscogee County high schools as COVID-19 cases rise
As cases of the deadly coronavirus increase, the Muscogee County School District has canceled its in-person graduation ceremonies that were scheduled for this month at the Columbus Civic Center.
Here is MCSD’s news release, sent at 5:05 p.m. Thursday:
“The District’s live graduation ceremonies have been cancelled in accordance with the recent Executive Order extended by the Governor’s Office and current COVID-19 public health emergency guidance affirmed by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The ceremonies were previously scheduled for July 22-25, 2020.”
The ceremonies won’t be rescheduled, MCSD communications director Mercedes Parham told the Ledger-Enquirer.
The state reported 3,472 new COVID-19 cases Thursday — its largest single-day increase — and now totals 87,709. Current hospitalizations for coronavirus cases also are at the highest mark for Georgia at 1,649. And 22 more deaths from the virus were reported statewide in the past 24 hours, bringing the number to 2,849.
Muscogee County reported 1,833 total cases, up 92 in 24 hours. Hospitals in the county won’t release their number of COVID-19 cases. As of July 2, 50 coronavirus-related deaths have been confirmed in Muscogee.
MCSD conducted virtual graduation ceremonies for its 10 high schools online, and WTVM aired them in June. Schools also hosted drive-thru graduation ceremonies on campus.
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 5:17 PM.
