Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School To Reopen Wednesday, After Closing Because Parent Tests Positive For Coronavirus

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School will be reopen Wednesday, after closing for a day Tuesday when a parent tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Given that the current risk of community transmission in Chicago is low, and based on the information obtained regarding the investigation of the parent who has tested positive for the virus which causes COVID-19, the Chicago Department of Public Health does not see a need to continue school closure. We are working closely with school administrators to ensure the health and safety of Bernard Zell students, their families and staff," Dr. Stephanie R. Black, Medical Director with the Communicable Disease Program at the Chicago Department of Public Health, was quoted in a letter to parents.

Late Monday, Gary Weisserman, the head of the school, said the school had received received confirmation a the parent had tested positive for COVID-19.

School officials said the closure was not required by the Department of Public Health, but classes were canceled out of "an abundance of caution."

Weisserman said no Bernard Zell student or staff member has been diagnosed with COVID-19. He said this individual's spouse and children remain asymptomatic, but will undergo testing on Tuesday.

The parent is under self-quarantine, Weisserman said.

School officials said from the beginning that "based on conversations with medical experts, we believe the risk to our students and faculty is low."

The Jewish day school, 3751 N. Broadway, enrolls about 500 students.