Coronavirus News: 4 NY schools closed after Westchester Co. man tests positive
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, New York (WABC) -- Four schools in New York have closed after word that a man from Westchester County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The man's positive test result for COVID-19 prompted the closure of Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains, the Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy and SAR High School in Riverdale, the Bronx.
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One of the man's sons attends SAR Academy on 254th Street. SAR High School a few blocks north on West 259th Street is also temporarily closed because the child may have had contact with other students.
The closures are being done as a precaution.
Both of these facilities are private Orthodox Jewish schools.
Two other schools, Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck and the Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains are closed out of an abundance of caution.
Yeshiva University has identified an undergraduate student as the other son of the Westchester coronavirus patient.
Student has not been on campus since Feb 27, the university said. Both boys are isolated at home.
Additionally, a Cardozo student is in self-quarantine as instructed by their doctor, as a precaution because of contact with the patient's law firm. The Cardozo student is reporting no symptoms.
The university said the campus is open as normal.
The CDC put out guidelines to help school districts in case they have a confirmed case of coronavirus:
"Temporary school dismissal, Temporarily cancel extracurricular group activities and large events to lessen exposure of the virus, Discourage students and staff from gathering or socializing anywhere, and Ensure continuity of education by putting a plan in place so students continue their lesson plans."
Some residents have mixed feelings on the closures as more cases come in.
"It actually worries me a little bit, because I work with people. I work with people at the store. You never know until you have it," a worker said.
"We live in New York. This happens all the time. We don't stay home unless we're advised," said Joe, an area resident.
At a news conference Tuesday morning, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said more schools in the area may be closing voluntarily until it is determined whether some children may have unwittingly exposed other children.
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MORE RELATED INFORMATION:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
New Yorkers can call the State hotline at 1-888-364-3065, where experts from the Department of Health can answer questions regarding the novel coronavirus.
New York State information about coronavirus
New York City information about coronavirus
John Hopkins' coronavirus tracking dashboard
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