Archdiocese Of NY Closes Elementary Schools Amid Coronavirus Fear

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The Archdiocese of New York announced Thursday it was closing all of its elementary schools in an effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. The closures go into effect from March 16 until March 20, with a decision on whether to re-open being made then.

In New York State there are 328 confirmed cases of what is officially known as COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday afternoon, with 162 in the Hudson Valley and 96 in New York City (including Staten Island.)

"This decision was made out of an abundance of caution," archdiocesan officials said in a statement. "The health and safety of our students, staff and families is of the utmost importance."

All activities and sporting events were also canceled indefinitely.

"We truly understand that taking this action may cause some disruption to our families, but we strongly believe that these measures taken now will have the greatest success of decreasing risk to the whole community," the statement said.

The Catholic archdiocese operates elementary schools in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties as well as many in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Its high schools were not affected by Thursday's announcement.

As of Thursday morning, there were 217 cases in New York State. In the Hudson Valley, there were 121 cases in Westchester, six in Rockland, two in Ulster and one in Orange County.

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