Around Toms River: Schools Remote Again As COVID Hampers Classes

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Regional School District shifted back to remote instruction across the school district as rising numbers of students and staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

It was a move that drew a mix of complaints and gratitude from parents and guardians across the district, with some supportive of the shift and others frustrated.

There were more than 356 students and staff members who either were positive for the virus or forced to quarantine due to exposure to someone who was positive, officials said.

"We are barely keeping our head above water with appropriately staffing our classrooms," Superintendent David Healy said, noting the district is tapping every resource to get substitute teachers to fill classrooms. Read more: 356 In Quarantine: Behind Toms River Schools' Remote Decision

The plan is to return students and staff to the classrooms as of Dec. 14, but whether that happens could depend heavily on what happens with the coronavirus pandemic and the cases in the area.

Last week, the state announced that all 21 counties had moved into the orange "high risk" category due to the rates of transmission of the coronavirus. As of Sunday, Ocean County had 21,771 cases, up 1,698 from the 20,073 on Nov. 22. Toms River has 329 new cases in that time, with 3,488, up from 3,159 on Nov. 22, according to the Ocean County Health Department.

Statewide, New Jersey now has more than 334,000 cases since March, including 3,851 new ones on Sunday, according to the state Department of Health COVID-19 website. As of Sunday, 2,877 people were hospitalized due to the coronavirus, with 559 in intensive care and 304 patients on ventilators, according to the state COVID-19 website.

Parents who are seeking coronavirus tests for their children have another option as Rite Aids are testing children ages 13 and up. Read more: Rite Aid Expands Coronavirus Testing To Kids 13 And Older In NJ

Around town

The Toms River Regional Board of Education election results were certified last week, finalizing the order of finish for the candidates. Lisa Contessa (17,573 votes), Ashley Palmiere (14,359) and Michele Williams (14,226) won election to the three, three-year terms, according to the Ocean County Board of Elections.

The remainder of the candidates received votes as follows: Ken Londregan, 14,112; Bridget Maillard, 11,977; Rachel Remelgado, 11,920; Robert Onofrietti Jr., 10,840; Christopher Raimann, 10,637; and Daynne Glover, 9,887. There were 659 write-in votes.

The downtown Toms River area was able to find something of a silver lining with outdoor dining and a street closure bringing people to downtown. Read more: Amid Pandemic, Downtown Toms River Finds Life Under Night Lights

Trying to help those in need get off the streets is the primary mission of Just Believe Inc., which operates the emergency shelter at Riverwood Park. Learn how you can help them: Just Believe Inc. Gives Homeless Hope And Refuge In Toms River

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