Lee County Schools announced Friday that class of 2020 graduates will be able to pick up their diplomas at “drive thru” events to be announced in next week.
“Until we can safely conduct these traditional ceremonies, we think it is important to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 by distributing diplomas and providing a small, intimate celebration for each of our graduates,” a statement from the district reads. “Each school will have a stage set up and graduates should wear their caps and gowns. Graduates will be allowed to bring a small number of family and/or friends who will be given an opportunity to watch them walk across the stage and take photos.
For a full list of details and requirements, click here.
“It is our hope that during this time of uncertainty, one of the few things we can say for sure is how proud we are of the Class of 2020. Through our many discussions with senior class officers over the last few weeks, the maturity, clarity and intellect observed is reassuring that our future is bright,” the statement continued. “We look forward to uniquely celebrating each graduating senior over the coming weeks with hopes of bringing families, friends and the Class of 2020 back together in August for a much deserved traditional graduation ceremony.”
Meanwhile, the county on Friday announced it had confirmed five new COVID-19 cases, bringing the county’s total to 242. The recovered rate jumped by 16 to a total of 60. There has been one COVID-related death in Lee County.
While identifying details of patients aren’t disclosed, a jailer with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has been confirmed as having tested positive, as has another employee in an undisclosed county department. There have been unconfirmed reports about an employee at a local nursing facility testing positive, and WRAL reported that an employee at Coty has tested positive. WRAL has also reported that there has been an outbreak at a local food processing facility.
The county does disclose demographic data including age range and gender. Those numbers are updated on a 24 hour delay, so Friday’s cases are not included. But of the 237 cases known through Wednesday, 58 percent were female and 42 percent were male. There were 42 cases in people under 24, 96 between 25 and 44, 85 between 45 and 64, and 14 over 65.