While the argument between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and lawmakers in the state over mask mandates rages on, four educators in Broward County have passed away due to complications from Covid-19 within 24 hours.
According to CNN, Anna Fusco, the Broward County Teachers Union president, confirmed the alarming death toll to a news affiliate.
“Within 24 hours, we had an assistant teacher pass away, a teacher at her school pass away, an elementary teacher pass away, and another teacher at a high school,” she said.
Fusco told WFOR that at least 3 out of the four educators were unvaccinated. The vaccination status of the fourth person could not be confirmed.
The deaths come just as classes are expected to start in the county, and Covid-19 cases continue to surge in the state.
According to the Broward County Public Schools system’s Covid-19 dashboard that was updated yesterday, there have been 138 employees who tested positive for the virus since August 1, with classes scheduled to begin next week.
Earlier this week, the school board voted to maintain a mask mandate, even though Governor DeSantis prohibited the school district from making such a requirement.
