COVID-19 More ‘Widespread’ In South Brunswick: OEM

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The Township is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases since Christmas, according to the South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

According to the Middlesex County Health Department, 176 people tested positive for COVID-19 since Christmas and the South Brunswick School District reports 97 students and staff with COVID, the OEM said Wednesday.

A majority of people who have tested positive have reported mild to moderate symptoms, with some reporting no symptoms, according to the OEM.

Health officials believe the peak of the omicron wave will be over by early February and the next five to six weeks will be the most challenging times.

South Brunswick High School went virtual before Christmas after a reported spike in COVID-19 cases. With more students and staff testing positive recently, the school district is yet to announce any changes for when school reopens. Meanwhile, many New Jersey school districts have switched to remote learning in the New Year due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Read More: South Brunswick High School Goes Virtual After COVID 'Outbreak'

“We will continue to work with State and County health officials to stay on top of the changing information and guidelines,” OEM Director Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed its guidance for people who test positive. As of Monday, Dec. 27, isolation time went from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, the CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.

If a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.

Those who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

Those who have a fever, need to continue to stay home until the fever resolves.

Read More: CDC Shortens Isolation, Quarantine Time: What It Means In NJ

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