The City School District of Albany was notified of eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 from July 21-28.
Two cases are associated with Albany School of Humanities (ASH). One individual was last in the building July 22, and the other on July 27.
Two cases are associated with prekindergarten at Giffen Memorial Elementary School. One individual was last in the building July 20, and the other on July 21.
Another case is associated with the district’s Essex Street offices, adjacent to the Harriet Gibbons Student Services Center. This individual was last in the building on July 25.
Another case is associated with district offices at Harriet Gibbons. This individual was last in the building July 26.
Another case is associated with prekindergarten at Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy. This individual was last in the building July 20.
The final case is associated with an individual with a district-wide assignment. This individual was last in a building July 22.
Please be reminded that schools no longer are required to quarantine individuals who in the past were identified as contacts of a person who tests positive. We now identify anyone within a 6-foot radius of a positive individual as having been exposed and provide notification to that individual or, in the case of a student, their parent or guardian. We will continue to report positive cases.
Health and safety procedures continue at all district buildings and on buses, including cleaning and sanitizing. We also would like to remind everyone of steps you can take to help be safe:
1. While masks are optional in all school buildings in New York and, in our school district, on First Student buses that transport students, the state continues to require masks for everyone riding public transportation, which includes CDTA buses that serve our schools. The district will respect the personal decision of all individuals and families regarding wearing masks in those settings where they are optional.
2. Wash hands with soap and water frequently when out of your home. If you cannot use soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
3. Don’t touch the eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean.
4. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE SICK OR HAVE SYMPTOMS:
- Signs of COVID-19 are fever, fatigue/tiredness, muscle/body aches or pains, congestion, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell, rash, feeling sick or unwell in any way.
- Please notify your school nurse if you are keeping your child home from school with symptoms; you can find that contact information on your school’s web page.
5. We continue to encourage everyone who is able and eligible to get vaccinated.
- The Albany County Health Department offers frequent opportunities for free COVID-19 vaccinations in a variety of locations. You can learn more at https://www.albanycounty.com/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccination
- To find additional locations near you, visit www.vaccines.gov or call 800-232-0233.