Health Department to set status today; letter talks impact on schools
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Rising COVID-19 cases may be pushing this part of New Jersey into the “high risk” level for community transmission of the coronavirus, that is one stage below the “very high risk” classification in which schools are recommended to go to all-virtual learning.
At the “high risk” level, schools are told to “consider implementing fully remote learning,” according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
According to a letter dated Monday, Nov. 23, from Ocean City School District Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor, the Cape May County Department of Health advised all the school superintendents in the county about the “high risk” status.
Taylor noted the department will determine the status today (Wednesday).
The state has divided New Jersey into regions to report trends with the coronavirus. The Southeast Region includes Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland counties.
According to the state DOH COVID-19 recommendations, when schools are in the “very high” risk category, “it is recommended that they implement fully remote learning.
State DOH recommendations
“Schools in other risk levels should consult with their local health departments as they work to:
– Implement protocols requiring staff and students to stay home when sick or if they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. School administrators should be notified of illness.
– Develop a policy for daily symptom screening for students and staff; have plans for students and staff to report symptoms that develop during the day
–Identify rapid testing resources when staff and students develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Schools should:
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily
– Ensure adequate hand hygiene supplies are available
– Implement physical distancing measures such as reducing occupancy, installation of partitions and physical barriers, and cancelling large gatherings
– Implement source control through wearing face covering.
Taylor’s letter
Dr. Taylor wrote that the county Health Department also discussed concerns with having students take off their mask at lunch time and being able to space 6 feet apart.
“It’s our concern too, especially at the high school,” she wrote. “Please know that from the onset of the pandemic, our goal has been to balance providing a quality education with protecting the health and welfare of our school community; that community extends beyond our school walls to our students’ and staff members’ families and friends – even the people we interact with in our grocery stores and post offices.”
She said more information should be available on the school’s website at oceancityschools.org.