Tappan Zee High School Closed Over Positive Coronavirus Test

ORANGEBURG, NY —Tappan Zee High School was closed Thursday and will remain closed Friday because someone who was at the school Monday and Tuesday was reported to have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Classes will continue remotely as scheduled, officials said.

District officials were notified Wednesday evening, said Superintendent Robert R. Pritchard. "Due to HIPAA and FERPA laws, we cannot disclose additional information."

District administrators are working collaboratively with the Rockland County Department of Health and cooperating with contact tracing efforts.

Anyone identified as a contact of this individual or of any person who has tested positive will receive an email from the District and/or a call from a Contact Tracer from the Department of Health:

• For such calls, your caller ID may read “NYS Contact Tracing” or display a phone number with a 518 area code.
• Please answer.
• Your identity and the information you share will remain confidential.
• Please provide Contact Tracers with the information they need to protect our entire School District community.

TZHS will be closed through Friday for building-wide disinfection. No students or staff are to report in person. Meals pre-ordered for in-person students will be suspended temporarily.

All other SOCSD schools are open. Transportation for high school students who do not attend school on the Tappan Zee High School campus will continue as scheduled.

District officials expect the high school will reopen for in-person student and staff attendance on Tuesday. It is closed Monday for Yom Kippur.

"I know that this news will cause concern among all our families and staff," Pritchard said in a note to the school community. "However, please refrain from speculation and respect the privacy of the affected individual. Please be safe."