Omicron Won't Cause Adjustments To Protocols At Ridgewood Schools

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The first cases of the Omicron variant have been recorded in New York City, but, for Ridgewood Public Schools, it's unlikely that the latest COVID-19 variant will cause any adjustments in protocol. For now.

Four cases of the variant have been discovered in the city's five boroughs, and another has been found in Long Island, according to a Patch report. However, no cases have been reported across the Hudson as of 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

But that doesn't mean New Jersey officials aren't paying attention.

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As students returned to school after the Thanksgiving holiday, Ridgewood Public Schools reported an increase in COVID-19 cases, but district leadership remains upbeat about how the year has been going, even as reports of the new variant, and what it may bring, continue.

"The first few months of this school year have been very successful, and at this time, we do not anticipate making any adjustments to our current protocols," said Superintendent Thomas Gorman, when asked if there were any discussions about quarantine adjustments around winter break.

"We have a high vaccination rate of both staff members and students, and we are seeing many families with 5-11 year-olds taking advantage of the vaccine that is now available for this age group. The district has a fantastic team of school nurses who work collaboratively with our families and the Village of Ridgewood Health Department regarding Covid investigations and follow-up procedures," he added.

Gorman is joined by others in the area to hold steady as the new variant begins to creep into the region.

Teaneck Public Schools Chief of Staff and Director of Community Relations Terry Corallo said the district would follow state guidelines as it pertains to health and safety measures, but have also offered district-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination clinics. At a clinic held on Tuesday, 97 students were vaccinated.

"We take this all very seriously and are doing our part by offering pediatric vaccination clinics and will be looking to offer COVID testing and booster shots for staff members in January," said Corallo. "We are already in talks with Holy Name to do another pediatric vaccination clinic in January as well."

Still, New Jersey officials are keeping an eye on the variant.

The Omicron variant has already resulted in a new travel ban that took effect Monday. Murphy said he is concerned about flights from South Africa, which is one of the countries covered by the ban put in place by President Joe Biden over the weekend.

"As our region is a hub for international travel and commerce, we must be ready now," Murphy said about the new Omicron variant during a news conference Monday afternoon. "The department of health is prepared to quickly identify Omicron through both PCR testing and virus sequencing and protocols."

However, as it stands, Murphy said the state isn't taking any new steps or implementing new state protocols.

"Are we taking this seriously? Are we sober about it? Are we going to look to make decisions based on the science and the data and the facts as they become known? Absolutely," Murphy said.

"In the meantime, we strongly encourage folks to do the things that we know work."