NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Dez-Ann Romain, principal of Brooklyn Democracy Academy, has died of coronavirus complications at the age of 36.
The Brownsville high school is a transfer school for students who were unable to receive their diploma in a traditional school.
Romain's death makes her the first public school official to die of the virus, according to Chalkbeat.
"This is painful for all of us, and I extend my deepest condolences to the Brooklyn Democracy Academy community, and the family of Principal Romain," wrote Richard Carranza, Chancellor of the Department of Education, wrote in a tweet. "We’re all experiencing a deep sense of confusion, uncertainty, and sadness, and it’s more important than ever to provide support to one another. We’ll be there for the students and staff through whatever means necessary during this impossibly difficult time."
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams echoed that sentiment in a tweet. "The loss of Principal Dez-Ann Romain is particularly painful for the Brooklyn Democracy Academy family, our larger @NYCSchools community, and a borough grateful for her service."
As of Monday evening, there were over 13,000 cases of COVID-19 in New York City, and 125 deaths from the disease.