At least five large school districts in the Phoenix area have announced they will shut down because of the new Coronavirus, despite the governor’s decision for schools to remain open.
State health officials say a statewide shutdown is not necessary now because there isn't a broad spread of the new virus.
Phoenix-area districts have announced closures at the Alhambra, Cartwright, Kyrene, Osborn and Tempe elementary districts.
Pima Unified School District in rural southeastern Arizona closed Thursday after saying some elementary school students were possibly exposed to an unknown illness. The district said Friday that the possible exposure involves a staff member and that it awaits test results.
Meanwhile, New Mexico’s governor has announced K-12 schools will close across that state for three weeks in an effort to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Public health officials in New Mexico also banned mass gatherings that involve 100 or more people in spaces such as stadiums or auditoriums as a way to limit the spread of the virus. The moves came as the state confirmed a sixth positive test for coronavirus for a woman in her 50s from Santa Fe County who recently traveled to Italy, where more than 800 deaths have been linked to COVID-19.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release that the extended closure will begin at the end of the school day Friday. Many public school districts in New Mexico spring breaks scheduled next week.
