Hillsborough Schools To Close Early To Prepare For Coronavirus

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Township Schools will close early on Thursday to prepare for any potential future impact of the new coronavirus.

"Hillsborough Township School District recognizes the seriousness of COVID-19 and its impact on our community... we have been notified by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) that if there are mandated, public health related school closures, districts that provide access to approved alternate instructional methods during the closure will be in compliance with the 180-day requirement. To that end, students will follow a half day schedule on Thursday, March 12, 2020 in order to provide teachers the opportunity to develop a reasonable, flexible learning framework that afternoon," Hillsborough Acting Superintendent Dr. Lisa M. Antunes said in a letter to parents Tuesday night.

The half day will be used for staff members to come up with a plan to be able to continue education at home in the event of a health-related school closure. More planning is also set for a previously scheduled in-service day on March 20.

The district is not cancelling local field trips or school activities at this time. Instead, Antunes is asking students to reinforce the use of preventative measures including frequent handwashing, avoid close contact with people who are exhibiting symptoms, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

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Developments in the new coronavirus outbreak continue to unfold rapidly in New Jersey now that the number of cases has risen to 15, and one person has died.

• See Related: First NJ Coronavirus Death; Total Cases Rise: Governor
• Related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, also called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 800-222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

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