Georgia High School That Went Viral For Student-Packed Hallways Temporarily Shuts Down, 9 Test Positive

North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia, is temporarily shutting down all in-person classes after a photo of a student-packed hallway went viral, and nine students and staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Georgia high school received national attention on Aug. 3 when students returned to the classroom and photos of the school’s crowded hallways circulated on social media. In the photos, many students were not wearing face masks or observing social distancing guidelines.

Parents were notified on Saturday that six students and three staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus. It was unclear if they had been infected at the school or somewhere else.

The Georgia school district had reopened its doors on Aug. 3, allowing students to choose between in-person and virtual learning, but online slots had filled up, USA Today reported. Now, North Paulding High School will provide online learning on Mondays and Tuesdays for all students to allow for deep cleaning at the school those days, the letter to parents said, which was shared on social media.

The high school officials and parents were to meet Tuesday evening to determine if in-person classes will resume later in the week.

“Hopefully we can all agree that the health and safety of our students and staff takes precedence over any other considerations at this time,” Paulding County Schools Superintendent Brian Otott said in the letter.