NJ Schools Go Remote Amid Pre-Holiday COVID Spike

NEW JERSEY — State COVID-19 case totals continue to rise in New Jersey, prompting a number of communities and decision makers to shift protocols, cancel events and decide to close up shop.

In Newark, this means resuming an indoor mask mandate. In Teaneck, that means a closure of all municipal buildings until at least mid-January. Now, the rising number of COVID-19 cases is also beginning to affect public schools.

Some schools in Sussex and Union Counties shifted to virtual learning as COVID-19 case numbers in New Jersey schools spike. Hundreds of students in Newark schools have shifted to remote learning as well, Patch News Partner Chalkbeat Newark reports. Others have taken alternative routes, like in the School District of the Chathams, where all schools are operating on an early dismissal schedule this week.

Among the Sussex County schools to make the shift is Newton High School, whose Superintendent, Dr. G. Kennedy Greene, said the switch was because of a "recent rapid increase in COVID cases among our high school population."

There were 24 COVID positive student and staff, with 309 close contacts and 128 needing to quarantine at Newton High School as of Dec. 13, Greene reported. Nine positives were added to that count on Dec. 19, which "will add dozens more close contacts to these totals," Greene noted.

All of this comes amid a spike in COVID-19 numbers in state schools that's catching the attention of officials, including Gov. Phil Murphy. Read more: NJ Sees 'Spike' In School Outbreaks Ahead Of Christmas Holiday

The governor noted that, although rates are increasing in schools much like in other areas of life, active cases in school buildings remain "somewhat rare."

From Dec. 6 to Dec. 12, 47 new COVID school outbreaks were reported in New Jersey impacting 231 students and 42 staff members across 110 municipalities, said Murphy.

This is an increase of 16 outbreaks, 86 student cases and 14 staff cases from the previous week.

In total New Jersey has reported 248 COVID school outbreaks with 1,159 students and 191 staff members impacted since the beginning of the school year.

Among the first in this line of both post-Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas spikes is a shift to virtual learning at the Middlesex County Vocation and Technical High School. In-person learning is set to resume on Jan. 3, officials said. Read more: High School In East Brunswick Goes Virtual After COVID Spike

Although COVID-19 spikes in state schools aren't rampant across the board, some districts have seen cases in specific schools climb.

Hunterdon Central Regional High School announced a shift to virtual learning, citing a "serious spike" in cases. Read More: 'Serious Spike' In COVID Cases Closes Hunterdon Central HS Early

And joining the Chatham school district in a shift to remote learning was Plainfield Public Schools, where officials announced the move to an "increase in COVID cases throughout New Jersey."

As the omicron variant pushes the state back toward the feeling of 2020, New Jersey officials are taking new measures in an attempt to keep kids in school.

The state is considering an alternative that would permit unvaccinated students who are exposed to COVID-19 to remain in the classroom during their quarantine period, as long as they remain asymptomatic and don't test positive for the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently added guidance concerning "test to stay" practices, which are put in place to cut down on absenteeism and learning loss related to a traditional quarantine.

It combines contact tracing and serial testing to allow students to continue in-person learning during after being exposed to COVID-19 as an alternative to traditional quarantining. Serial testing is defined as testing twice over a seven-day period. Read more: Quarantining NJ Students Can Stay In School Under Pilot Program

Still, as COVID-19 infections have more than doubled from this time last week, officials say the best way to fight COVID-19 is through testing and vaccination, including booster shots.

"Quite frankly, with what we know now about the omicron variant, if it is time for your booster, get it now," Murphy said.

"Please this week before the holiday, stay home if you are sick and get tested before any holiday gatherings, especially if you have any potential exposure," New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli added during Monday's state coronavirus briefing.

New Jersey residents can get free, at-home, saliva-based COVID-19 tests. Get home tests here.