Student Tests Positive For Common Coronavirus Strain

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Parents of New Rochelle middle school students were informed Thursday that a student at Albert Leonard Middle School tested positive for a strain of the coronavirus. School officials said what the student was diagnosed with was not the new strain of coronavirus that originated in China, which is coronavirus 2019-nCoV.

School Superintendent Laura Feijóo said the child's strain was NL63, a common strain of coronavirus.

She said that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives and the illnesses usually only last a short time.

Symptoms may include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of being unwell.

"I typically would not reach out regarding a student's health but given the global attention on the different strain —2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) — I wanted to reassure you and provide accurate information," Feijóo said in an email to the community.

She said that parents of any child who is feeling severe cold or flu-like symptoms to keep him or her at home until they feel better.

Feijóo also said, in an abundance of caution, "we are cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with the school."

She also reminded parents to tell their children to regularly wash their hands with soap and water or sanitizer to help prevent germs from spreading, especially during cold and flu season.

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