Student, Staffers Test Positive For Coronavirus In Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, NY — An elementary student at the Phillips Avenue School in Riverside was the lasted individual in the Riverhead Central School District to test positive for the coronavirus this week, district officials said in a notice to parents and the community.

The news follows other positives reported on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The district was notified Thursday by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services; the student will quarantine and will not return to school until the district receives clearance from the SCDHS, Riverhead Interim Superintendent Christine Tona said.

The announcement came after news Wednesday that a staff member at the Pulaski Street School had tested positive for the coronavirus and would similarly quarantine, Tona said, adding that the district would notify those who were identified as being in close contact and issue quarantine orders if applicable.

And on Tuesday, Tona said the district had been notified of three additional staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. The SCDHS confirmed two non-instructional staff members, one at Riverhead High School and one from Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, as well as a high school teacher had tested positive, Tona said.

"Due to the high number of close contacts with other staff members and the Thanksgiving holiday, Roanoke Avenue Elementary School will be closed until Monday, Nov. 30. Teachers will provide remote instruction during the closure," Tona said.

Those staff members will also quarantine and not return to school until the district receives clearance, Tona said.