Concerns Over Spike In COVID Cases At Hillsborough School

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Concerns were expressed over a spike of COVID-19 cases at Auten Road Intermediate School at the recent Board of Education meeting.

"This spike in cases is concerning. However should parents choose to take advantage of the recent availability of vaccinations for this age group, we are hopeful that these numbers will begin to decrease across the board," said Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Antunes during the Dec. 6 BOE meeting.

Currently, vaccinations are available for children five years old and up. To find a vaccination clinic visit hillsborough.311.town.

Auten Road has reported a total of nine cases so far for the month of December. There was one case reported on Dec. 1 and 2, two cases on Dec. 3 and five cases on Dec. 6.

The district overall has reported a total of 29 cases since Dec. 1. Hillsborough High School also has a high number of cases with 10.

Since the beginning of the school year, Auten Road School has reported the most amount of cases with 39 out of a district total of 136.

"It is encouraging to share that although this increase is concerning I wanted to share that none of these cases to date have been transmitted at school," said Antunes.

Antunes asked parents and students to continue to be diligent and follow guidelines for when to keep children home from school after COVID exposure, when they are sick with COVID-like symptoms, or if they traveled and are required to quarantine.

Unvaccinated Hillsborough students traveling out of contiguous states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware) for the holidays are being reminded that they must quarantine for 7 to 10 days before returning to school. Read More: Hillsborough Kids Who Travel Far For Thanksgiving Must Quarantine

If an unvaccinated student tests negative 3 to 5 days after travel, they are required to quarantine for 7 days. If a student does not get tested they are required to quarantine for 10 days. If a student tests positive they must stay home for 10 days after the positive test.

Students who are fully vaccinated do not need to stay home after travel. They should get tested three to five days after international travel.

"Following these guidleines will allow us to continue to keep schools open," said Antunes. "As I've previously shared while our priorities are to keep schools open and programs running all day, five days per week, it will take everyone's diligence to do so and I will not hesitate to close a class, program or grade level or school as necessary or appropriate."

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