Pittsburgh Whittier K-5 closed until Thursday because of covid cases

Pittsburgh Whittier K-5 on Mount Washington is closed to students and staff until Thursday because of a spike in covid-19 cases, although it will reopen for Tuesday’s primary election, school officials said Monday.

The school closed to in-person classes after it reached the 5% threshold for positive cases. According to an online tracker, the school had five cases over a 14-day period.

Students and staff will transition to online learning while the school is closed. In-person classes will resume Thursday.

Custodial staff will disinfect the building Monday evening ahead of election staff and voters entering the school. It will be cleaned again Tuesday evening following the election.

This is the third Pittsburgh Public School building to close over the past several weeks because of covid cases.

Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 and Colfax K-8 closed last week after covid cases rose above the 5% threshold.