Schools nationwide close, again, due to COVID-19, may happen in Utah

(KUTV) — A local leader says Georgia's almost immediate shut down of a school because of coronavirus will happen in Utah.

Educators are moving instruction entirely online, starting Monday, because of the number of students and staff that tested positive for the virus at North Paudling High School, west of Atlanta.

Utah's Democratic Party Chair Jeffrey Merchant says this very same scenario is extremely likely in Utah.

A photo captured by a Georgia high school student shows the hallway jam-packed with students wall-to-wall.

The Washington Post reports six students and three staff members reported infections at the school.

Merchant is called out Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox for not having a centralized plan for the state. He also said the overcrowding, lack of funding and minimal personal protection equipment will disrupt Utah's reopenings, just like in Georgia.

Every school district has created its own reopening plan, based on recommendations from the state and public heath officials.

Last week, Hebert announced that a pack including five KN-95 masks and two face shields would be provided to every teacher, faculty member, and school bus driver in the state. But districts are having to gather a lot of supplies themselves.