Coronavirus Cases Reported In Cranford Schools And School Office

CRANFORD, NJ — The Cranford public schools shifted to remote learning for two weeks following Thanksgiving, after Union County was designated "high risk" for transmission of coronavirus. And perhaps that's a lucky thing, as the superintendent recently reported a number of new coronavirus cases among school personnel and other individuals — but these have not affected the school schedule.

In the last several weeks, Superintendent Scott Rubin has sent out letters about cases at schools and in the Board of Education office. In each case, Rubin said the Health Department determined that the person didn't have "close contacts" during the time of contagion.

In the most recent missive, on Monday, Rubin wrote:

"The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the District was notified that an individual at OAS [Orange Avenue School] Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. The district continues to work closely with public health officials in order to assure the health and safety of our community. Please be advised that based on the timing of the case, the Township Health Department has confirmed that there are no close contacts in the school.

"I recognize that many of you would like more detailed information about the case or contacts of the case. The information I am providing you here has been composed in consultation with and vetted by the Department of Health, and I am not in a position to comment further...."

On Saturday, the superintendent sent out a similar letter about Lincoln School and OAS Middle School. In both cases, he wrote, "Please be advised that based on the timing of the case, the Township Health Department has confirmed that there are no close contacts in the school."

On Dec. 2, Rubin wrote:

"The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the District was notified that an individual at the BOE Central Office and an individual at Livingston Avenue School (LAS) tested positive for COVID-19. The District continues to work closely with public health officials in order to assure the health and safety of our community. Please be advised that based on the timing, the Township Health Department has confirmed that there are no close contacts in the district for either case."

The district is supposed to return to regular hybrid instruction on Dec. 14.

Cranford coronavirus statistics

Last month, Cranford reported its most recent coronavirus death. The town has said that the current number of residents who've passed away from the virus is 101.

In the most recent update, the town said there were 66 active cases in town. (Read more here.)

In his letters, Rubin advised these safeguards:

• Staying home when you are sick;
• Washing hands often for at least 20 seconds;
• Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
• Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;
• Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);
• Wearing a face covering while in school; and
• Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms
• Immediately notifying your child’s school if they have a positive COVID-19 test result

More than 275,000 Americans and 15,000 people in New Jersey have died from the virus so far.

Here are some other Cranford coronavirus statistics and testing information:

SCHOOLS

• Cranford's schools are presently remote until Dec. 14, after the state released the latest COVID-19 Activity Level Report two weeks ago saying that the COVID-19 activity level for the Central East region is high.

HOW TO GET TESTED

• Union County has added mobile walk-up test sites in addition to the drive-through testing site located at Kean University. Testing is free for Union County residents and is by appointment only with no car required; participants must wear masks and observe social distance. Any Union County resident can make an appointment for a test, whether they have symptoms. www.ucnj.org/covid19.
• Union County residents who need to make an appointment by phone can call 908-518-4307 for assistance. Non-profit organizations and other community groups can call the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881 to request a visit from the Mobile Test Unit.

• To find out more, you can also contact your doctor, visit covid19.nj.gov/testing, or call 211.

NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Use this link to see the updated fatality count in the United States.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally.
• Others are simultaneously fighting misinformation and hoaxes as they try to fight the virus.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.
• Programs are being added constantly, so don't think you can't get help. Reach out to your local mayor's office to find out what kind of funds may be available to help you get through this time.

LONG-TERM CARE

• Recently, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said this month. The state also announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1. The state has stopped updating the numbers at facilities without current outbreaks.
• New Jersey residents were already alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard temporarily to help make changes.
• The state released death toll statistics late in spring for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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