New Orleans Public Schools Report Weekly COVID-19 Cases In The Single Digits For Third Straight Week

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By Aubri Juhasz

Published March 30, 2021 at 10:47 AM CDT

A sign at Arise Academy in the 9th Ward reminds students, staff and visitors to wear a mask. July 31, 2020.

New Orleans Public Schools reported nine new cases of COVID-19 last week, according to an update shared Monday afternoon.

For three weeks, the district has reported few new cases, keeping its active total in the early teens.

As of Monday afternoon, officials were tracking 12 active cases of COVID-19 across 10 different schools. Nine students and three staff members tested positive for the virus and an additional 116 people were in quarantine due to possible exposure.

In total, the district enrolls more than 45,000 students and employs more than 8,000 staff members.

The district shares the number of COVID-19 cases and quarantines associated with the school community regardless of where transmission occurred. Officials have repeatedly said they’ve seen no evidence suggesting the virus has been spread within school buildings.

Last week, the district adopted national guidance allowing schools to seat students 3 feet apart. As a result, capacity-strapped schools should now be able to serve a larger number of students in-person full-time.