Barnegat HS Goes Remote After Off-Campus ‘Super-Spreader’ Event

BARNEGAT, NJ — Barnegat High School transitioned to virtual learning Monday after an off-campus event caused a spike in positive coronavirus cases among high school students.

Principal Patrick Magee announced high school and vocational students will continue to learn remotely until Feb. 19 in a letter to parents. The school district has identified 12 confirmed positive student cases and three assumed positives as of Saturday.

Magee said the reported cases were first traced directly to a single super-spreader off-campus event attended by high school students, but the most recent cases identified were tied to the event through secondary contacts, indicating community spread.

“This was the deciding factor in determining the shift to a fully virtual model, as we could no longer trace and identify all contacts with a high degree of confidence,” Magee said.

The transition to virtual learning applies only to Barnegat High School and vocational students. Students will follow their normal instructional schedule and log into the Google Classrooms of their teachers during scheduled times

The Barnegat High School administrative team has been working with nursing staff to identify, trace and report COVID-19 related cases.

“We need our families and students to continue to do their part when not in the school building so that we can remain open by practicing these safety protocols like washing hands regularly, avoiding touching of the face, wearing a mask and socially distancing,” Magee said.

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 1,373 cases and 48 coronavirus deaths in Barnegat Township since the pandemic began.

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