California school shutters over tuberculosis outbreak as state faces rates nearly double national average

A prominent California high school suspended in-person classes after facing over 50 tuberculosis cases. 

The first case connected to Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco was reported in November. Over 50 latent TB infections have been identified within the school community, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. As of last week, there have been three active cases of the airborne bacterial infection. 

In-person classes at the private Catholic high school have been suspended through at least Feb. 9, with a hybrid model lasting through Feb. 20. Staff and students who test negative after that date will be allowed on campus, while others will attend classes via Zoom.

“All of these steps are being taken in close consultation with SFDPH and are intended