Babylon High School Closed For Two Days Due To Coronavirus Cases

BABYLON, NY — Superintendent Linda Rozzi announced on Wednesday that Babylon Jr./Sr. High School would close for two days due to coronavirus cases.

In a letter, Rozzi stated that the school district was informed this week of two more positive cases of COVID-19 at the high school, bringing the school’s total to eight active cases.

After a contact tracing investigation was conducted, 26 staff members and many more students were quarantined due to the close proximity to the people who tested positive. As a result, school district officials decided to close the school Thursday and Friday.

"We understand this is a burden on everyone, especially our students and staff, as the County/regional infection rate continues to rise. However, we remain confident that our classroom procedures, sanitary measures, and each person’s focus on health and safety while at school have greatly resulted in limiting exposure," Rozzi wrote in the letter. "We have traced that the spread of this illness is occurring from the outside and unrelated to the school setting."

District officials reported the information to the Suffolk County Department of Health, who will notify those identified as being in close contact with the people who tested positive.

"The District follows guidelines established by the Suffolk County Department of Health to determine when an individual or his or her close contacts may be permitted to return," Rozzi wrote. "Please also understand that as a school district we are obligated to respect privacy laws relating to any individual student or employee, and we are prohibited in providing any other identifiable information."

Classes were conducted fully remote on Thursday and will continue once again on Friday. Students are expected to be present online as the teachers provide remote instruction.

As of Thursday, school officials anticipate that students and staff will be able to return to in-person instruction on Monday.