NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – New York’s COVID numbers proceed to surge simply as youngsters put together to return to the classroom subsequent week.
New measures have been announced for metropolis faculties in one other effort to cease the unfold and hold faculties open.
READ MORE: Hoboken Indoor Mask Mandate Begins
The brand new guidelines embrace a rise in COVID testing in faculties, extra testing choices for academics and employees, and modifications to the publicity protocol.
As CBS2’s John Dias stories, metropolis leaders say faculties stay among the most secure locations children will be in the course of the pandemic. This new strategy is but once more one other means the town is altering the principles because the precise virus modifications as effectively.
FIND TESTING SITES: Click here for New York City’s testing site locator, together with cell websites and at-home appointments
It’s a daring new technique as children put together to go again to the books. Mayor Bill de Blasio says when vacation break wraps up subsequent week, college students will want a unfavourable COVID take a look at to remain within the classroom. It’s a brand new technique to struggle again the extremely contagious Omicron variant.
“We’re going to double the quantity of testing we do day-after-day in our faculties,” de Blasio stated.
COVID testing was once restricted to unvaccinated college students whose dad and mom turned in consent types – roughly one third of the varsity inhabitants. Not anymore – it’ll increase to vaccinated college students, and employees can get a take a look at when they need.
AVOID THE LINES: Click here for NYC Health+Hospitals testing wait times
One other change?
“When there’s a constructive case in a classroom, each youngster takes dwelling at-home take a look at kits. Each youngster who assessments unfavourable comes again to high school. It’s so simple as that,” de Blasio stated.
READ MORE: Westchester County Center Reopens For COVID Testing
However the academics union is elevating considerations about return to colleges. The union president stated many academics are coping with COVID. He thanked dad and mom for his or her dedication to protecting children within the classroom, however wants some assist.
“Please fill out the consent type,” stated UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “We wish your youngster vaccinated, particularly our 5-11-year-olds. That quantity is de facto low.”
COVID VACCINE
This comes as New York Metropolis is main the spike in youngster hospitalizations nationwide, and the chair of the Metropolis Council Well being Committee Mark Levine tweeted the town’s positivity fee is nearly 20%. That’s almost one in 5 New Yorkers.
Many are still struggling to get tested, ready in traces, and turnaround instances generally taking longer than ordinary.
“On the road often we don’t obtain the consequence 3-4 days,” stated traveler Shabana Chaudry.
Tuesday was deja vu on Lengthy Island the place Northwell Health rolled out drive-through testing locations. The COVID positivity fee there’s among the many highest within the state – greater than 15%. COVID hospitalizations on the state’s largest well being system seem like below management.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
“We have to depart emergency departments and pressing care facilities for many who want to hunt medical care,” stated Dr. Matthew Harris of Northwell Well being.
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In New York Metropolis, the brand new testing strategy in faculties is made attainable by the state and its dedication to assist with provides. Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state might be giving the town greater than two million at-home testing kits.
