NEW JERSEY—School administrators state-wide were urged March 2 “to prepare for possible community transmission of [coronavirus] COVID-19” by the state Department of Health, which provided step-by-step guidance to local districts with an assurance that the health risk to the U.S. population is low.
Since no vaccines or pharmaceuticals exist currently to prevent or mitigate transmission of coronavirus, the state DOH advises districts to prepare to take steps—such a school dismissals and closings—to help minimize virus spread should cases be identified locally.
“Schools may be asked to close preemptively or reactively, therefore schools should be making plans for what to do if there are recommendations for closing schools or canceling events,” said the health department memo.
There are currently no confirmed cases in New Jersey.
Coronavirus has been reported in New York City, Westchester County
See related story:
The state Department of Health has issued a six-page document to help school districts to prepare and plan for a local virus outbreak and response.
The DOH guidance advises districts to take 10 steps to prepare for a coronavirus occurrence, including:
• Review and update virus response and pandemic plan, and share with stakeholders before an outbreak;
• Prepare for the potential of school closures, dismissals or cancellation of school events;
• Prepare to offer home instruction for students;
• Establish contact with local health officials and key points of contact;
• Create an emergency communication plan;
• Establish a leadership team;
• Hold workshops and trainings for staff on prevention measures; and continuously monitor updated information from health officials.
“Childcare and school administrators should work closely with local health officials when making decisions on dismissals or closures,” said the DOH document.
The DOH guidance addresses what districts should do if a student or staff member exhibits signs of illness; what actions to take if a student/staff is returning from a country on coronavirus travel alert; and students are advised to consider potential risks from virus transmission and quarantine when deciding on possible Spring Break travel.
‘No restrictions’
“At this time, there is no need to cancel school or social events. There are no cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey, and there are no restrictions on public gatherings,” said the health department’s March 2 memo. “Students should be reminded that part of good respiratory hygiene is staying home from events when they are ill.”
The DOH said that if COVID-19 is occurring in your community, public health may recommend modifying, postponing, or canceling mass gatherings. On March 3, the state Department of Education issued an online notice to district administrators and boards of education to “read in its entirety (state DOH guidance) and to consult with local health officials regarding its various risk mitigation strategies.”
The NJDOE notice highlights New Jersey’s hotline for coronavirus information (800-222-1222) and offers a link to a listing of all local health departments statewide.
‘Virtual’ classrooms possible
Previously, NJDOE spokesman Mike Yaple said the department would offer updated guidance to districts on providing home instruction via “virtual classrooms.”
As of March 4, no information was provided online.
On its website, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged school districts to consider internet-based tele-schooling should school be closed to help minimize community spread of coronavirus, should that be necessary.
According to DOE, New Jersey school districts must complete 180 school days per year.
Northern Valley Regional District Superintendent James Santana told a media outlet that the district has much experience with virtual school days, should school need to be cancelled, and has students equipped with MacBook laptops and uses Google classroom.
Efforts to reach Santana for elaboration were not returned by press time.
‘Aggressively treating’
In Pascack Valley Regional High School District, spokesman Paul Zeller said the district’s current cleaning protocols include “aggressively treating all contact surfaces (i.e. door knobs, railings, desktops) during the day and after school, as we do during ‘flu season’.”
He said the district was “currently evaluating” whether students should take upcoming trips to destinations in Europe “to assure the health and safety not only of those who travel, but for our entire community as our school travelers return back to the United States.”
In a March 2 email to Pascack Valley region families and public officials, the district suggested recommendations for families: it advised sick students to stay home until an illness has passed; to be vigilant about hand washing and covering your face when sneezing or coughing; and to minimize person-to-person contact.
‘Seeking guidance’
“With regard to the trips, we currently have several trips scheduled for areas in Europe over the remainder of the school year,” emailed Zeller.
“We are in communication with other high schools in Bergen County about how they are handling their trips, and as the letter noted, we are seeking guidance from other organizations,” he said.
“We want to make an informed decision that takes into consideration all factors and we will be making those decisions soon,” Zeller said.
“While our attendance totals have remained consistent throughout the school year, even during the height of flu season, and there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in (New Jersey) at the current time, the wellness of our students and staff remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor the changing developments regarding these health concerns, and we will stay in contact to assure our school communities stay as healthy as possible,” said the district email.
Previously, the state DOE would not allow “virtual” school days to count towards the 180-day requirement unless the school building was physically open for students to attend. It was unclear whether that requirement was still valid.
Efforts to reach a DOE spokesman were not returned by press time.