COVID Testing At West Orange High School For Students, Families

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange High School will be the home of an ongoing, mobile COVID-19 testing site that’s open to local students and their family members, administrators announced Wednesday.

“In an effort to further safeguard the health of our students, staff, and community, as well as salvage the seasons for our student-athletes, color guard and other co-curricular in-person activities, West Orange High School will host a mobile testing site on our campus beginning Thursday, Jan. 20,” district officials said.

Here’s what you need to know, according to a message from Hayden Moore, principal of the high school.

Athletics, Colorguard and Co-Curricular

“The site will be available on Mondays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., for high school students and staff who participate in in-person athletic and co-curricular activities where social distancing is impossible or impractical (these students are required to test weekly).

“Both a rapid nasal and PCR saliva test will be administered at the same time. The convenience of having testing on-site with clear protocols will enable our activities to proceed with a diminished risk of illness.”

West Orange School Community

“Please note that the campus testing site will also be available every Thursday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. to the entire student body, staff and West Orange Public School District families.

“As we work towards our goal of having all students and staff return to the building full-time, and all activities returning to the pre-pandemic “normal,” we believe that this intervention will help us limit exposure to COVID, make our medical staff more aware of risks, and keep all students and staff members safer.

“We also remind students, staff, and our greater community that masks continue to be required at all school functions, and that we must all do our best to maintain adequate social distancing while this virus continues to threaten our health and safety.

“We encourage all members of the West Orange school community to take advantage of the new Thursday opportunities, and we also remind our community that free PCR tests are available at the former K-Mart location, Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

• See related article: Some West Orange Schools Go Virtual, Others Remain In-Person
• See related article: Here’s Where To Get A Coronavirus Test Near West Orange

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