Five Queens schools hit by COVID as reopenings proceed

A combined seven people with COVID-19 entered five schools across the borough during the first week of in-person learning. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

By Rachel Vick

People with confirmed cases of COVID-19 entered at least five Queens school buildings in the days leading up to this week’s reopening, the Department of Education said Wednesday.

P.S. 013 Clement C. Moore and P.S. 721 John F. Kennedy Jr. School in Elmhurst; P.S. 171 Peter G. Van Alst in Astoria; the Malcolm X Day Care Center in Corona and the Child Center of New York in Woodside were on a list of more than 30 schools across the city that at least one person with COVID-19 entered between Sept. 25 and Sept. 28, the DOE said.

Two other Queens schools, P.S.152 and P.S. 128, also reported cases of COVID-19 among their school communities, but the individuals with the virus did not enter the buildings, according to the city

The days ahead will test the city’s school reopening rules.

Elementary and middle school students returned to classes Tuesday, while high schoolers head to school buildings today.

Schools where a single teacher or student tests positive for COVID-19 can reopen, but everyone else who shares the classroom must quarantine for 14 days, according to reopening rules. If multiple people test positive for COVID-19, the school will close for 24 hours. 

The city’s Test and Trace Corps will then conduct an investigation to determine whether to keep the school closed and order all students and staff to undergo COVID-19 testing, said Test and Trace Corps Executive Director Ted Long.

As COVID rates rise in at least three Queens neighborhoods, the city has intensified testing and outreach efforts.

Two mobile testing sites are currently operating at Painter’s Playground in Rego Park and at Queens Borough Hall.