Cortlandt Coronavirus Update: Schools, Youth Center Close

CORTLANT, NY — With the coronavirus positivity rate creeping upward in the Hudson Valley, officials are keeping a close eye on new cases around Cortlandt and Peekskill.

Lakeland officials closed Walter Panas High School and Lakeland High School Monday due to coronavirus testing issues. At Lakeland, so many staff members were out awaiting test results from last week’s positive case, as well as additional absences for sickness or personal time, made it unable to safely staff the building. At Panas, the parents/guardians of all students who may have had contact with the affected student were contacted by a school nurse Monday.

Because an employee at the Cortlandt Youth Center has been tested for COVID-19 after coming in contact with someone who tested positive outside of the youth center, town recreation officials announced the center would be closed through Friday, which will give time for results and for deep cleaning. The employee who is being tested was at the Youth Center on Friday, they said.

In Cortlandt as of Monday, there were 20 active cases. Peekskill has 10, Buchanan 2 and Croton-on-Hudson 2.

"Please abide by the Governor's guidelines to stay safe in order to prevent this virus from spreading," Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi said in a message to Cortlandt residents Monday.