With Respiratory Infections Rising, Princeton Schools Advises Caution

PRINCETON, NJ – As respiratory infections are on the rise across the state, the Superintendent of Princeton Public Schools has advised the school community to remain cautious.

During the Board of Education meeting held last week, Superintendent Carol Kelley said there have been widespread cases of upper respiratory infections in the community over the past few weeks.

“We want to continue to educate our staff, our families that if you are sick, or if you have sick children, please keep them at home,” Kelley said.

“Our custodians are doing a remarkable job with keeping up with extra cleaning in our shared spaces.”

Kelley said the school district will keep an eye on the absentee rate this week at schools, but if the community works together and keeps the nurses alerted, the district can “make it through the holiday season.”

The school district is in constant communication with the Princeton Health Department, Kelley said.

RWJBarnabas Health recently said that the hospital has seen a surge in cases of severe respiratory illness in children across all their NJ hospitals. This illness is caused by an influx of a variety of viruses common to the fall and winter months.

Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is also surging across the country.

New Jersey Health officials are warning of a possible "tridemic" or "tripledemic" if the RSV peak coincides with seasonal peaks in influenza and COVID-19. The three illnesses have similar symptoms.

Respiratory illnesses usually occur in late December or early January. But an early wave suggests the situation could get worse for people, especially children, reported CBS News.

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