COVID-19 cases associated with New Orleans public schools have been steady for three weeks, according to data released Monday afternoon.
The number of active cases associated with the district’s more than 70 public schools has hovered in the low teens since late February.
Officials are tracking 12 active cases of COVID-19, seven of which were reported in the last week. Nine students and four staff members tested positive for the virus and another 105 people are in quarantine.
Cases were reported at eight separate school sites. The highest number of cases were reported at Hynes Elementary Lakeview. Three students and one staff member tested positive for the virus and an additional 30 people are in quarantine due to possible exposure.
A city-wide surge pushed the district to close most classrooms in early January. During this time, the district experienced its own sharp uptick in cases and set a new weekly record when schools reported more than 100 active cases of COVID-19.
Following new restrictions, the city flattened its curve and younger students began returning to the classroom in early February. Older students were allowed to return in late February after the Mardi Gras holidays.
In addition to low case counts, classroom confidence has also been buoyed by increased vaccine access, including Gov. John Bel Edwards’ decision to expand vaccine eligibility to K-12 employees in late February.
Since then, nearly 3,000 New Orleans public school staff members have been vaccinated through the district’s partnership with local healthcare providers. Hundreds, if not thousands, of parish teachers have also secured vaccine appointments on their own.
