Testing unvaccinated school staff could be required after panel approval

A state health panel approved two emergency regulations on Thursday for New York schools, including a potential testing requirement for unvaccinated staff. Today's newsletter also includes stories about the State Legislature passing an extension of the eviction moratorium, and how The Paramount will require proof of vaccination or a negative test next month. By Erin Serpico NY health panel approves possible staff testing for schools Many Long Island school districts are back in session, including Jericho High School, which started on Aug. 26. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca The Special Public Health and Health Planning Council unanimously approved a requirement that all public and private schools report COVID-19 positive test results daily to the state Health Department, and a potential testing requirement for unvaccinated staff. In an emergency meeting, the council approved authorizing the commissioner of health to mandate routine COVID-19 testing "in certain settings, which may include schools, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings, and which may distinguish between individuals who have received full vaccination against COVID-19 and those who have not," according to a notice on the state Health Department's website. Advertisements "The whole intent here is to achieve vaccination and we want to incent and motivate it in a variety of different ways," said Jeffrey Kraut, chair of the council and executive vice president of strategy and analytics at Northwell Health. The regulations could be adjusted after they are reviewed by the Health Department, he said. The state Department of Health did not immediately return a request for comment on what the next step would be on the council's approved measures. Educators on Long Island had been questioning and awaiting guidance on Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to mandate COVID-19 testing for school personnel who aren't vaccinated. Plus: See the updated list of school districts' reopening plans around Long Island. Advertisements The map below shows vaccination rates in communities around Long Island, with data as of Aug. 30. Search around that map and view more charts showing the latest local trends in new cases, testing, hospitalizations, deaths and more. Vaccination rates around Long Island. See more coronavirus headlines below. Legislature passes extension of eviction moratorium The State Legislature on Wednesday passed a bill to extend New York's moratorium on evictions until Jan. 15, citing the surge in COVID-19 cases, a U.S. Supreme Court decision and the slow rollout of an aid program for tenants and landlords. Vance: Patchogue clinic worker sold bogus vaccine cards The Bellport resident and a defendant from New Jersey worked together in the fraudulent enterprise, says Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., and each face charges of fifth-degree conspiracy and offering a false instrument for filing. To our community: Newsday readers support our strong local journalism by subscribing. Please show you value this important work by becoming a subscriber now. Subscribe for $1 LI hospitals: Delta variant seen in almost all new COVID-19 cases  Dr. Aaron Glatt, chairman of medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, said 100% of cases treated at the Oceanside facility are delta, while at Stony Brook University Hospital, 94% of positive samples taken from July 19-30 and sent to the state's Wadsworth Laboratory were the highly infectious variant. Anxiety, hopes rise on first day of school in Freeport Mask-clad students streamed into buildings Wednesday on Long Island's biggest reopening day, as 44 districts, including Freeport, welcomed children back to full-time, in-person instruction. Advertisement Paramount to require vax proof or negative COVID test starting Oct. 4 The Paramount in Huntington has announced that it will be adhering to Live Nation's new COVID-19 regulations. Newsday's Breaking News newsletter Get breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our email news alerts. SIGN UP Where COVID-19 vaccines will be required There's a growing number of employers, schools and entertainment venues that have issued COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Here's an updated list. Pandemic overshadows Labor Day again, as travelers prepare for long weekend During a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing Tuesday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said people who are not vaccinated should avoid traveling. Advertisement U.S. jobless claims reach a pandemic low as hiring strengthens The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 340,000, a pandemic low, another sign that the job market is steadily rebounding from the economic collapse caused by the pandemic. Applied DNA pivots to create COVID-19 vaccine for mink A Long Island company that was developing a coronavirus vaccine for cats is changing course with a new target market: mink farms. 'Waitress' to honor late star Nick Cordero Cordero, one of the first high-profile casualties of COVID-19, wll be honored with one of the show's signature, quirkily named pies. Delta leads to rethinking for live business events in fall Some gatherings are getting postponed or canceled. For others, planners are looking to set safety rules, including masks and distancing. Advertisement Sign up for more newsletters You can cancel anytime How are we doing? 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