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Positive Cases 2020-2021 » WAS Positive Case 10/29

WAS Positive Case 10/29

October 29, 2020 

 

Dear Cranford community,

 

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that a student at Walnut Avenue School has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating.  The District is working closely with public health officials in order to assure the health and safety of our community.  The Township Health Office, who is conducting contact tracing, will communicate directly with those individuals who have been identified as a close contact  and will advise those families accordingly.  As per the NJ Department of Health, close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. 

 

Please be advised that families in that classroom have already been notified that school will not take place for those students in-person tomorrow, Friday, October 30, 2020, while the Township Health Office looks into the matter and conducts contact tracing.  The District will conduct an additional deep cleaning of the classroom. In the meantime, the Township Health Department has verified that, at the present time, the rest of Walnut Avenue School and all other District schools should continue to operate on their current schedules.

 

I also recognize that many of you would like more detailed information about the case or contacts of the case. The information I am providing you here has been composed in consultation with and vetted by the Department of Health, and I am not in a position to comment further.  We are hopeful that the mitigation measures we have in place, such as universal masking, screening procedures, social distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and other precautions, will have their intended effect and reduce or minimize the risk of transmission in the school environment.  We encourage parents and students to continue following the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention promoted safeguards, such as:

 

  • Staying home when you are sick;

  • Washing hands often for at least 20 seconds;

  • Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;

  • Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;

  • Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);

  • Wearing a face covering while in school; and

  • Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms

  • Immediately notifying your child’s school if they have a positive COVID-19 test result

As always, we appreciate your support and cooperation.  Moving forward, you can assist us by remaining vigilant but sensible in your approach to dealing with this health concern.  Thank you for your ongoing patience and flexibility as we continue to make our way through this school year.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Scott Rubin
Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance