2 Hell's Kitchen Schools Closed By Coronavirus Cases

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — Two schools in Hell's Kitchen were temporarily closed in recent days due to coronavirus cases detected in the building, according to the Department of Education.

P.S. 51 Elias Howe at 525 West 44th St. closed last Monday after confirming an unspecified number of coronavirus cases. That 10-day closure was set to end on Wednesday, according to the DOE's map of active cases.

Days later, on Thursday, I.S. 17 at 328 West 48th St. began its own closure, which was set to last through Jan. 23. A classroom at P.S. 212 Midtown West, housed within the same building, was closed the same day.

The two Hell's Kitchen schools were among 281 school buildings closed citywide as of Wednesday, according to the DOE. Buildings are forced to close pending an investigation when at least two COVID-19 cases linked to each other are confirmed in separate classrooms.

That closure is extended to 10 days when infections occurred outside of school or a link cannot be determined. (That length of time was shortened from 14 days earlier this month, based on new health guidance.)

Only pre-K, 3K, kindergarten, elementary and students with special needs are learning in person given a full public school shutdown in November.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, before students and teachers went on winter recess, said middle school students will be the next group to return to classrooms. A timeline for their return will be announced this month, he said.

Officials hope to avert another disruptive citywide school closure that shifts all students to fully remote, as happened in November. Coronavirus cases across the city remain at months-long highs, but schools appear to be relatively safe.

Find more information on school closures here.

Patch reporter Anna Quinn contributed.