A principal from an alternative high school in Brooklyn, New York, died after contracting the coronavirus.
Dezann Romain, a 36-year-old principal at Brooklyn Democracy Academy, is the city’s first known public school employee to succumb to complications from COVID-19. Romain’s death was announced by the academy’s teachers union on Monday.
“It is with profound sadness and overwhelming grief that we announce the passing of our sister, CSA member Dezann Romain, Principal of Brooklyn Democracy Academy, due to complications from coronavirus,” the union wrote.
The union added, “Our prayers are with her family and school community as we mourn alongside them. Please keep Principal Romain in your thoughts and continue to do everything possible to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe during this health crisis.”
Romain led students at the academy, which is an alternative high school for those who have fallen behind in credits or dropped out and needed to transfer from a different school. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio opposed closing schools in the city over the outbreak, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the decision for the state on March 15.
New York is the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. As of Tuesday afternoon, the state had more than 25,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 200 deaths.
Most of the deaths from the coronavirus have been elderly people, with very few deaths of people in their 30s. Of the younger individuals who have died, many presented underlying health issues.
