Coronavirus Update, March 25, 2021

Ithaca City School District officials are aiming to increase the number of students allowed in schools for in-person learning.

School Superintendent Dr. Luvelle Brown and Medical Director Dr. Melissa Dhundale (DUN-dale) say they are studying recently updated public health guidelines from the CDC.  New Federal guidelines cleared students to be distanced three feet apart, rather than six feet.

New York State and County health officials have not yet agreed to the same guidelines, reports the Ithaca Voice. 

Some Ithaca School Board members added that they are speaking with teacher’s union bargaining units to determine their viewpoint on possible changes to student density in classrooms.

Tompkins County is reporting 24 new positive cases of COVID-19, leading to a total of 164 active cases.  Case totals are following an upward trend. There are now three individuals hospitalized in Tompkins.

Schuyler County is reporting 4 new positive cases of COVID-19, and a total of 17 active cases, reflecting an increase from earlier in the week.