2 Detroit school employees, 3 parents dead from coronavirus, superintendent says

Two Detroit school employees and three parents have died from the novel coronavirus, the Detroit Public Schools Community District superintendent has said.

Detroit Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said he learned of the deaths Monday in a Tweet about 10:30 p.m.

“One of the hardest days yet,” he said. “All to this awful virus. My heart is in pain for their families and our district and school families.”

The employees worked at two different schools and the parents were connected to three different schools, Vitti said in the Tweet.

Further information was not immediately available.

Metro Detroit has seen a growing number of deaths connected to the pandemic, with several high-profile community members killed or sickened.

More:Michigan coronavirus cases rise to 6,498, with 184 deaths

State Rep. Isaac Robinson, D-Detroit, died of a suspected coronavirus infection on Sunday.

In addition, Detroit community leader Marlowe Stoudamire, Detroit police homicide Capt. Jonathan Parnell and Wayne County Sheriff's Cmdr. Donafay Collins have also died.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig and Highland Park Police Chief Hilton Napoleon have both been diagnosed with the illness. 

Contact Darcie Moran: dmoran@freepress.com.