The number of Department of Education classrooms closed due to COVID-19 infections hit a yearlong high this week.
According to the DOE’s website, a total of 737 classrooms are currently shuttered due to student or staff coronavirus cases as of Tuesday.
That’s more than triple the number of shuttered classrooms exactly one month ago, when 153 rooms were cordoned off due to COVID-19 cases.
In most instances, students in classrooms must quarantine before returning to school.
DOE coronavirus cases hit yearlong lows last month before spiking significantly in recent weeks, the numbers show.
The DOE reported a total of 458 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday alone — 336 students and 122 staffers.
On November 14, the DOE reported 112 new cases — 79 students and 33 teachers.
“Our schools are safe, and only one percent of our classrooms are quarantining at the moment,” said DOE spokesperson Nathaniel Styer. “With all employees fully vaccinated and more 5-11 year-olds getting vaccinated every day, our families can rest assured that every school is taking the actions necessary to keep our children learning safely.”
There have been 16,290 positive COVID cases in city schools so far this year — 12,130 students and 4,160 teachers.
Unlike last year, the DOE does not close entire schools if cases are detected and instead targets individual classrooms.
City officials determine what steps are taken with each building in the wake of infections and only six schools have been temporarily closed so far this year.
All school building employees are vaccinated.
