Morris Schools: Unvaccinated Kids Should Get Tested Soon

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Full-day, in-person education will make a return at the Morris School District, but back-to-school prep isn't all back to normal. The district recommends that all unvaccinated students get tested soon for COVID-19.

The district, in a letter sent Friday, encouraged parents of unvaccinated children to get tested before the school year, which begins Sept. 9. If completed early enough, the student may still be able to attend to test positive but end quarantine in time for the first day of school.

"This will reduce the risk of COVID-19 entering our schools and disrupting students' learning," the letter says.

Children 12 and older can receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, while kids 11 and under are not yet eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus. Everyone in New Jersey's K-12 schools will wear masks this fall, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Aug. 6. Read more: NJ K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

See here for quarantine details from the New Jersey Department of Health.

Morris County averaged 61.2 new infections per day in the past week, according to the state health department. Hospitalizations in New Jersey total 946 as of Monday — more than triple the 267 total logged July 2 but lower than the 3,497 tallied New Year's Day.

Sixty-seven percent of all people in Morristown and Morris Township and 80 percent of Morris Plains are fully vaccinated against the virus.

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