Bridgewater High School Switches To Virtual After COVID-19 Cases

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — All students at Bridgewater-Raritan High School will be switching to virtual learning beginning Monday after two positive coronavirus cases were reported, school officials said.

"As per the New Jersey Department of Health Guidance, a school building should be closed for 14 days when two or more cases are identified within a 14-day period that occurs across multiple classrooms and a clear connection between the cases cannot be easily identified. Unfortunately, our most recent cases meet this criterion," said Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Ficarra.

All students at Bridgewater-Raritan High School will remain in all remote instruction for 14 days. In addition, all in-person athletic and extracurricular activities are canceled.

All other district schools will remain open as normal.

This is the third time this school year the high school has had to switch to virtual learning due to positive coronavirus cases. Previously it switched to all virtual learning on Oct. 26 and then again on Nov. 18.

Here is a breakdown of the cases listed by school and number of cases since all schools reopened for in-person learning on Oct. 12:

• Adamsville - 8
• Bradley Gardens - 2
• Crim - 3
• Hamilton - 2
• Kennedy - 4
• Milltown - 5
• Van Holten - 3
• Hillside - 9
• Eisenhower - 12
• Middle School - 19
• High School - 55
• District Support Staff - 10

Ficarra is encouraging parents, students, and staff to continue following the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) promoted safeguards, such as:

• Staying home when you are sick;
• Washing hands often with soap 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.

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