62K Los Angeles students, school staff have COVID-19

Approximately 62,000 students and staff in the Los Angeles Unified School District have tested positive for COVID-19 in the run-up to the district’s return to in-person instruction on Tuesday.

"We're all systems go," school district spokesperson Shannon Haber told CNN. She added that about 4,000 credentialed staff members are prepared to jump in to teach if needed.

This is about 15% of the 414,000 tested in the nation’s second largest school district, which is still far below Los Angeles’s overall COVID positivity rate of 22 percent.

All students are required to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to returning to school this week. The school district has been offering PCR testing on campuses over the last week to prepare, and has also handed out free, at-home test kits.

The district warned of potential delays as in-person instruction resumed.

"There may be a few lines at the start of the school day and longer wait times for buses. I wanna express my appreciation for your continued patience and partnership. Keeping our schools is a top priority and we truly thank you for doing your part,” said Superintendent Megan Reilly in a welcome-back message to students.