HAS & CHS Positive Cases 12/23

Dear Cranford community,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that an individual at Cranford High School and an individual at Hillside Avenue Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently self-isolating.  The District continues to work closely with public health officials in order to assure the health and safety of our community.   Please be advised that the individual at CHS has not been in school since prior to Thanksgiving.  Therefore, there are no close contacts in the school.  Please be further advised that the individual at HAS elementary has not been in school since Tuesday, December 15.   Additionally, contract tracing for this case has already been completed and it has been confirmed that there are no close contacts.   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 Hillside Avenue School classroom where the individual tested positive has already been notified.  

I 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