NEW YORK — As the number of people testing positive for novel coronavirus in New York grows, Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned that several schools in the state may be closed for weeks.

Schools in New York and New Jersey have closures planned as officials deal with the spread of coronavirus.

However, if concerns continue following the assessments, it may take a “number of weeks” for schools to reopen, according to Cuomo.

Some schools are closing because of possible COVID-19 exposure. Others are closing to develop plans to handle future novel coronavirus-related closures; schools would physically be closed, but students would have lessons in some form.



If a student tests positive, that school closes for at least 24 hours so that officials can evaluate the situation and make an educated decision, according to Cuomo.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York City has been working with the state on actions done if schools need to be closed down. If a student or staff member at a school tested positive, de Blasio said that the school will be briefly closed down to conduct a deep cleaning. "We want to keep those closures minimal."

There are 98 confirmed cases in Westchester County, 19 cases in New York City, 17 cases in Nassau County, four cases in Rockland County, two in Saratoga, one in Suffolk County and one in Ulster County.

"We've been testing around the clock now," Cuomo said.

“Westchester is our problem, as you can see from the numbers. That is a relatively small community in New Rochelle — 98 cases, more than the city of New York.”

"This is the hot spot. One of the hot spots nationally, by the way, is the New Rochelle hot spot," Cuomo said.

At least 142 people have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those positive, eight people are hospitalized.

Watch Governor Cuomo speak in the video below.