ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - With the slowing of the coronavirus outbreak, Albuquerque Public Schools will resume in-person learning for five days a week on April 5, though students can continue remote learning for the rest of the school year.
New Mexico’s largest school district announced its startup date Friday after the state Public Education Department earlier in the week said all schools were expected to reopen classrooms after spring break.
The district’s Board of Education was briefed on the reopening plan but did not vote on it.
Mask-wearing will be required and social distancing will be expected, interim Superintendent Scott Elder said.
“The reality is that full reentry will create situations in classes where we are unable to keep people 6 feet apart, but we’re assured that is OK,” Elder said. “But the goal is to maintain social distancing … to the greatest extent possible.”
Albuquerque Public Schools officials said they were trying to arrange extensions for teachers in high-risk groups to allow them to wait to return to in-person instruction until two weeks after being fully vaccinated.
In another development, the state on Saturday reported 198 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and three additional deaths, increasing the state’s pandemic totals to 188,167 cases and 3,850 deaths.
Of the additional cases, 74 were reported in Bernolillo, 28 in Dona Ana County and 13 in Otero County.
One death was reported in each of Bernolillo, Chaves and Dona Ana counties.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
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