A city teacher spent several days in a classroom last month before self-quarantining over coronavirus concerns, officials said Wednesday.
“The important thing is the teacher is self-quarantined, and that is a very good thing,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference, adding that the instructor will be tested for coronavirus.
The City first reported that the instructor had traveled to Italy for winter break before returning to work last month and later developing suspect symptoms.
“The teacher followed proper protocol by not coming to school when she developed symptoms,” said DOE spokeswoman Miranda Barbot. “We notified the Health Department, who is facilitating testing by tomorrow.”
Barbot said that kids who may have been exposed will be tested if the teacher is found to have coronavirus.
The City reported that the educator was advised to stay away from their school for two weeks by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The stricken instructor had reportedly traveled to areas in Italy that that had been hit hard by the virus.
The revelation deepened parental concern over a lack of clear Department of Education protocol in the event of a confirmed student or teacher coronavirus case.
Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza speaks at a press conference today regarding the DOE’S coronavirus measures.Taidgh Barron/NY PostMeanwhile, several city teachers have reached out to their union to report concerns over coronavirus symptoms, the United Federation of Teachers said Wednesday.
“A handful of UFT members have reached out to us and we urged those who had traveled to an affected area and had symptoms to get immediate medical attention,” said UFT spokesperson Alison Gendar.
Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, who joined de Blasio at the press conference, said that there were no suspected cases among city students at this stage.
The DOE said Wednesday that attendance has not dipped in the wake of the corona scare and said there were no plans to shutter schools.
De Blasio counseled parents to keep their poise if their kids show any routine signs of sickness.
“A child with the sniffles, we have to not overreact, but a child with symptoms and that travel nexus, we want to get that child immediately to health care,” he said.
The DOE indicated that it was working on contingency plans should school closings become necessary.




