STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Several Connecticut school districts delayed their return to classes Monday following the holiday break, citing the recent surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant.
The move came after Gov. Ned Lamont said last week that he would not support a return to remote learning in Connecticut school districts.
Schools were closed Monday in districts including Westport, Enfield and Region 14 (Woodbury and Bethlehem). Schools in Stratford and Stonington said they would be closed both Monday and Tuesday.
Ansonia officials decided Monday afternoon to close schools for the remainder of the week, citing staffing shortages. Superintendent Joseph DiBacco said about 25% of the system’s staff was out sick. He said the lost days will be added to the end of the school year.
Other school districts delayed opening for two hours Monday in order to assess and address any staffing shortages due to positive COVID-19 tests.
New Haven schools managed to open, despite the absence of about 500 of the system’s 4,000 staff members and 52 of its bus drivers, Mayor Justin Elicker said.
"I think we’re taking it day by day," Elicker said. "I would anticipate transportation issues continuing to occur over the next week and potentially the next several weeks."
The state last week reported 1,021 positive COVID-19 tests among school students, despite schools being closed for the holidays. That came a week after the state reported more than 3,000 positive tests among students in grades kindergarten through high school.