Chatham COVID Update: Case Count Progress, Schools Move Forward

CHATHAM, NJ — Here are the latest coronavirus updates around Chatham.

Case Count

Chatham Township's COVID-19 cases have declined in the past several weeks from 40 to 24 active cases, Mayor Tracy Ness reported Sunday. The township had nine new cases from April 22 to Friday, according to the Morris County Division of Public Health. Officials have reported 548 Chatham Township cases since the pandemic began.

Chatham Borough reported 13 new cases from April 22 to Friday, bringing the borough to 536 infections since the onset of the pandemic.

Officials from the Chathams advised people to continue following COVID-19 protocols: follow social-distancing guidelines, wear a mask when social distancing can't be maintained, wash hands often, disinfect frequently touched surfaces and stay home when feeling sick.

Vaccinations

About 219,000 people have been fully vaccinated in Morris County as of Monday afternoon, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Here's where the county stands, according to the CDC:

• 44.7 percent of people are fully vaccinated.
• 56 percent of people 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Only people 18 and only can get Moderna or Johnson & Johnson doses. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds recently became eligible in New Jersey for Pfizer shots.
• 76.9 percent of people 65 and older are fully vaccinated.

Schools Moving Forward

The New Jersey Department of Health released its weekly COVID-19 activity report Thursday, which included progress for the local area. The state downgraded Morris County from high to moderate transmission. Officials labeled Morris County a high-risk area for several months, which stalled several school districts' reopening plans.

As a result, Superintendent Dr. Michael LaSusa laid out several planned steps for moving forward, including allowing eighth-graders to return to in-person schooling every day Monday. In-person students in the eighth grade previously learned on a hybrid schedule.

Chatham Middle School reported no new cases since April 15, LaSusa said Thursday. But Chatham High School had 22 new cases last Monday alone.

"The reason this is significant is that close contacts of positive cases must quarantine if they are not vaccinated," LaSusa said.

Here's what else you should know:

• The Garden State will be removing capacity limits May 19, moving in lockstep with its closest neighbors, according to Governor Phil Murphy. Speaking at his Monday COVID-19 briefing Murphy noted that most capacity restrictions for retail, food services, gyms, offices, barber shops and more will lift in a coordinated effort between New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. MORE.
• All six COVID-19 vaccine mega-sites in New Jersey are now offering walk-in shots. Additionally, all Rite Aid stores in the Garden State now take walk-in patients for COVID-19 vaccinations on a limited basis. Rite Aid still recommends making appointments.

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