The City School District of Albany was notified Thursday of eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Each of these people is quarantining at home.
Three cases involve Pine Hills Elementary School:
- Two of these cases are associated with second grade. One individual was last in the building April 14, and the other April 8.
- The third case is associated with third grade. This individual was last in the building April 14.
Two cases are associated with fifth grade at Eagle Point Elementary School. One individual was last in the building April 13, and the other April 12.
One case is associated with Giffen Memorial Elementary School. This individual was last in the building April 13.
One case is associated with New Scotland Elementary School. This individual was last in the building April 14.
The final case is associated with sixth grade at North Albany Middle School. This individual was last in the building April 12.
Please be reminded that as of March 2, schools no longer are required to quarantine individuals who in the past have been identified as contacts of a person who tests positive. We will now identify anyone within a 6-foot radius of a positive individual as having been exposed and provide notification to that individual or, in the case of a student, their parent or guardian. We will continue to report positive cases.
Health and safety procedures continue at all district buildings and on buses, including cleaning and sanitizing. We also would like to remind everyone of steps you can take to help be safe:
1. While masks are now optional as of March 2 in all school buildings in New York and, in our school district, on First Student buses that transport students, the state continues to require masks for everyone riding public transportation, which includes CDTA buses that serve our schools. The district will respect the personal decision of all individuals and families regarding wearing masks in those settings where they are now optional.
2. Wash hands with soap and water frequently when out of your home. If you cannot use soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
3. Don’t touch the eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean.
4. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE SICK OR HAVE SYMPTOMS:
- Signs of COVID-19 are fever, fatigue/tiredness, muscle/body aches or pains, congestion, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell, rash, feeling sick or unwell in any way.
- Please notify your school nurse if you are keeping your child home from school with symptoms; you can find that contact information on your school’s page at .
5. We continue to encourage everyone 5 and older who is able and eligible to get vaccinated.
- The Albany County Health Department offers frequent opportunities for free COVID-19 vaccinations in a variety of locations. You can learn more at
- Crossgates Mall is one of 10 vaccination sites statewide for children 5-11. You can get an appointment at
- To find additional locations near you, visit vaccines.gov or call 800-232-0233.
