3 Long Beach School Employees Test Positive For Coronavirus

LONG BEACH, NY — Three Long Beach School District employees have tested positive for the new coronavirus, including one who worked in multiple buildings. The news was first shared with the school community by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Gallagher.

The first person to test positive was a staff member at the district's NIKE center. Gallagher said she was not informed of the test by the county, but by the staff member themselves. That staffer has not been in the school since March 6, Gallagher said.

Over the weekend, Gallagher said she heard from two other staff members about positive tests: one is a staff member at Long Beach High School, and the other is a custodian that works in all of the district's buildings.

Several other staff members and parents have also informed Gallagher that their doctors believe they have coronavirus, but advised against testing since they had mild symptoms, Gallagher said.

"At this point, I would again urge you to continue social distancing and hygiene measures, and contact your physician if you or family members show symptoms of the virus," Gallagher said. "And please, please take seriously the cautions of our public health officials. The only way to mitigate spread is stay home and limit contacts."