No Connection Between Coronavirus, Cherry Hill Schools: Officials

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The Cherry Hill man who has tested presumptive positive for new coronavirus has no connection to anyone in the public school district, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Meloche said on Monday.

“We wish him a speedy recovery,” Meloche said, adding that there are no confirmed cases among anyone connected to the school district.

On Friday, a Cherry Hill man in his 60s was identified as the first presumptive positive case of coronavirus in Camden County. He has been hospitalized in stable condition and in isolation since March 3. Read more here: First Presumptive Case Of Coronavirus Reported In South Jersey

Four employees at the Cooper Urgent Care Center in Cherry Hill were exposed to him the same day, and are currently self-quarantined. Read more here: 4 Cooper Staff Quarantined After Possible Coronavirus Exposure

The school district has also developed a district wide plan to continue learning in the event one or more of the district’s schools must close. The plan includes:

• A plan for online learning via Google Classroom
• The availability of online connectivity for families who need it
• Devices for families who need them

“If it is necessary for us to close schools, parents will need to arrange for childcare for their children,” Meloche said. “If we are directed to close our schools, we will be unable to run our School-Age Child Care (SACC) program.”

Meloche reminds parents of ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus:

• Remind your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, multiple times throughout the day.
• Remind your children not to share personal items like drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.
• Remind your children to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. If tissues are unavailable, use the elbow, arm or sleeve.
• Do not send your children to school if they are sick. Our nurses will be closely monitoring student health and sick children will be sent home.
• Keep sick children home for at least 24 hours after the cessation of symptoms or the absence of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• If you send in hand sanitizer with your children, please choose the unscented variety. We have students and staff who are allergic to the scents used in scented hand sanitizer.

“We have received concerns from parents regarding soap and paper towels in our school restrooms,” Meloche said. “As of Friday afternoon, all restrooms in all 19 of our schools were fully stocked with soap and paper towels. Our custodial staff and principals will be working diligently to keep the restrooms stocked. Our schools also are stocked with tissues; parents are welcome to send in extra tissues if they wish.”

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The New Jersey Department of Health has partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System to open and operate a call center (1-800-222-1222) for public use regarding questions, concerns, and other information related to coronavirus spread in New Jersey. More information is also available on the state's coronavirus webpage.