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Plainview-Old Bethpage Schools Superintendent Mary O’Meara announced this week that the district learned of five new positive cases in students, though there was limited exposure to those infected.
New positive cases were reported at John F. Kennedy High School, Mattlin Middle School, Old Bethpage Elementary School, and Pasadena Elementary School.
According to the district, no other students or staff members were exposed to any of the five students.
The news of the new positive infection comes a day after the district announced that there were 12 positive cases reported in one classroom at Old-Bethpage Elementary School, which prompted it to transition to all-virtual learning for the rest of the week.
O’Meara said that following the unexpected rash of new cases they were able to provide COVID-19 testing for staff, students, and parents. Of the 95 tests taken, there were no additional positive cases reported.
“We are aware of lapses in mask-wearing protocols and symptomatic individuals who were in attendance during the week preceding the outbreak that certainly contributes to transmission,” she said. “The investigation on these factors is ongoing.”
Following the positive cases, any building that saw a positive infection was disinfected by custodial staff, and additional testing was put in place.
“The Department of Health will quarantine close contacts of infected individuals for 10 days and require monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms for four days after the 10-day quarantine,” officials said. “If there are more than two cases in a classroom, the district will quarantine close contacts for the full 14 days.”
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