Central High School closes after positive virus cases

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Valley Stream Central High School closed on Monday, Oct. 26 and will remain so for at least two weeks after two positive coronavirus test results were reported in the building over the previous week, school officials announced. Students at the school will continue their studies remotely.

In a message sent to the school community on Saturday, Oct. 24, Central High School District Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich said that during the weekend a positive coronavirus case was reported at Central, although he did not specify whether it was a student or staff member. It was the second reported case in a week. On Wednesday, Oct. 21 Heidenreich announced that the family of a student at Central had also tested positive for the virus.

With two confirmed cases reported in the building within the same week the Nassau County Department of Health advised Central’s building be closed, Heidenreich said. Plans were in place for such a scenario, he said.

“We are taking this action to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, and families,” he said. “It is our hope to be able to return to our hybrid-learning model. This will depend on the guidance we receive from the Nassau County Department of Health.”

The district plans to reopen Central on Nov. 9, Heidenreich said. Memorial Junior, South and North high school buildings will remain open, with its student continuing to learn through the district’s hybrid model of instruction.