Massapequa Student Tests Positive For COVID; Middle School Closed

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Berner Middle School in Massapequa will be closed today after a student tested positive for the coronavirus.

The district made the announcement late Monday, after it received the notice that the student had tested positive for the virus. Per state requirements, the student will be quarantined at home, and contact tracing will be done to see who they could have spread the virus to.

Class in Massapequa began on Tuesday, Sept. 8. School had been in session less than a week before the district's first confirmed case of the coronavirus.

Following guidelines from the state Department of Education, the district said it is closing the school today "out of an abundance of caution." All students in grades 6 through 8 will be using a distance-learning model today.

The district is using the closure to clean and disinfect areas where the student was.

"We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we learn more," said Superintendent Lucille Iconis. "As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our priority."