Mount Vernon family quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure

A Mount Vernon family has been quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure.

At this point, it is not known if the quarantine has any connection to the New Rochelle cases of the virus.

The district has confirmed the family's two children attend Columbus and Rebecca Turner. The district says it will close Thursday and Friday out of an abundance of caution, and will be using state-of-the-art equipment to disinfect the buildings.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard tells News 12 they are keeping a close eye on the situation and working closely with health officials.

Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, the Mount Vernon school district's superintendent, said in part, "We have been advised by the physician of two of our students (same family, one at Columbus School and one at Rebecca Turner Elementary School) and their family have been quarantined for possible exposure to the novel coronavirus known as Novel 19. We have been further advised by the children’s physician that the students have not shown any actual symptoms at this time. At this time, no physician offices have the ability to test for COVID-19. The test can only be done by New York state or the Centers for Disease Control. Out of an abundance of caution, the district has closed all school buildings and offices effective immediately, and the schools will be completely cleaned and disinfected. It is anticipated that the buildings will reopen on Monday under a normal schedule once the cleaning program is complete. Both students will not be attending school for at least the next two weeks. Please be assured the Mount Vernon City School District is coordinating its response efforts in concert with the City of Mount Vernon and New York state."