HAS & BPS Positive Cases 11/22

Dear Cranford community,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that an individual at HAS elementary and an individual at BPS have tested positive for COVID-19 and are 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 any family who has a child in the HAS elementary classroom or the BPS classroom where the individual tested positive has already been notified.  At this time, HAS and BPS schools can resume in-person instruction on Monday, November 23.  Prior to Monday, an additional deep cleaning will take place while contact tracing is conducted.

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