Chappaqua Outbreak Includes Pleasantville Students

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — Three Pleasantville students have tested positive for new coronavirus, and their cases are linked to a coronavirus cluster in New Castle, News12 reported.

There were 19 confirmed cases connected to the Chappaqua events as of yesterday afternoon.

The New Castle-based outbreak is connected to two families who returned from trips to Florida bringing the virus.

Infected family members attended the ceremony and parties over June 20-21 that drew not only the school's more than 300 graduates but also family members, other Greeley students and staff, as well as teenagers from nearby communities. Hundreds of people were exposed.

Pleasantville officials alerted the community on Tuesday. Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter said:

We have confirmed reports that three students who either were present with Chappaqua students or attended non sanctioned school gatherings in Westchester have tested positive for COVID 19. We are aware that one individual who attended graduation later tested positive and promptly informed the District. During the ceremony that individual followed protocols and wore a mask. We bring this to your attention out of an abundance of caution and not to blame any individual families or students. We greatly appreciate the families who came forward and shared this information so quickly. They have the best interests of our community at heart!
The health and safety of our students, staff and the school community is our top priority.
To that end, our District has been in direct contact with the Westchester County Department of Health to support their efforts to prevent future spread of COVID-19. We encourage families who have knowledge of their children attending social gatherings in our region to speak with their health professionals.
I thank our community for its support of the Class of 2020 at our graduation at Pace University. The PHS graduation was a carefully planned event and strictly followed all Executive Orders and the Department of Health guidelines for health and safety. District staff wore masks as did the graduates. The site included many social distancing markers.
The HS administration repeatedly provided clear guidance on the health and safety protocols required for the event and reminded attendees of the importance of these protocols during the ceremony. I thank attendees for their support. ...
We know these are difficult and challenging times. As a school community, village,
county, and State, it is essential that we remain vigilant to the health and safety protocols outlined for us by the CDC and NYS Department of Health. Wear a mask, practice proper hygiene when washing hands and maintain social distancing. Be careful when traveling outside of NY and self-quarantine if you have traveled to states where there is a high positivity test rate. As of this writing, those states include:
Arizona
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
North Carolina
South Carolina
Utah

Texas

Wishing everyone a healthy and safe Fourth of July.

Many attendees at the Horace Greeley High School graduation ceremony the week before Pleasantville's ceremony did not follow pandemic protocols, officials have said. A photo from the widely shared on social media shows many students and guests mingling without masks during the ceremony, which was planned as a "drive-in" event at the Chappaqua train station's south lot.

Local and county officials have implored New Castle residents to stop disregarding pandemic protocols.

SEE ALSO:

• Residents Flouting Pandemic Rules Called 'Arrogant' And 'Selfish'
• Westchester Coronavirus Spike: More Cases Linked To Graduation
• Officials Beg New Castle Residents To Follow Pandemic Protocols

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