Rising COVID cases causing disruption at some schools

COVID-19 cases are rising at city public schools, with students and staff tallying nearly 11,000 positive tests last week alone, according to Education Department.

The total is up tenfold from the first week of March, when students and staff reported just over 1,000 cases, according to the city Department of Education data compiled by the advocacy group PRESS NYC.

The rise in cases — which mirrors citywide numbers — isn’t causing the same mass disruption as January’s omicron variant surge, which spurred record student absences. But it’s still scuttling plans at some city schools by keeping more staff than usual out of the classroom.

At the NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies, more than half the teaching staff was unable to report to work Monday, leaving in-person learning “significantly interrupted,” according to a note from administrators to families.

As a result, school leaders told families there would be “no penalty” for having their kids complete assignments online from home, according to the message.

Other schools have also reported staffing challenges in recent weeks, though it’s unclear how widespread shortages are.

Education Department spokesman Nathaniel Styer said there’s been a “slight increase” in the number of substitute teachers schools request each day, but no big jump.

“We continue to monitor cases and support buildings where there are higher numbers of staff out,” he said. “Our schools are safe and prepared for any increase in cases due to the resilience and hard work of our educators, staff and thousands of qualified substitutes.”

The uptick in virus cases has also stirred debate about safety protocols, with some advocates urging Mayor Adams to reinstate the school mask mandate.

Philadelphia’s school district recently decided to reimpose its mask mandate, and the city’s Health Department guidance calls on the mayor to require masks in indoor settings during periods of high COVID risk.

But Adams has so far stood firm on keeping masks optional in schools and other indoor settings.