Haddonfield Super Talks Coronavirus Process After Confirmed Case

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Haddonfield Superintendent of Schools Chuck Klaus reiterated the district’s communication process and the protocols for contact tracing this week after a student in the district tested positive for the coronavirus.

“I am sure you are all aware that we did have one student test positive earlier in the month,” Klaus said in a letter to the community. “Certainly this news raised anxiety and concern around the community. I want to take a few moments to remind everyone of the communication process and the protocols for contact tracing.”

Communication Chain

• A HSD student or staff member has a laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test.
• The testing center notifies the Camden County Department of Health (CCDoH).
• CCDoH contacts family and asks questions to initiate contact tracing. At this time the CCDoH asks for the name of the school district.
• CCDoH contacts HSD and requests names of those who may have come in “close contact” with the positive case.
• CCDoH advises the district if there is a need to quarantine individuals or to close classrooms or buildings.
• HSD sends a notification to all families that there is a confirmed case.
• The Superintendent’s office will notify all those determined to be “in close contact” that they are required to quarantine for 14 days.

Close Contact and Contact Tracing

• The NJDoH defines “close contact” as closer than six feet for 10 or more minutes without a mask.
• We will work with a CCDoH contact tracer and review timelines and physical circumstances.
• Anyone deemed in close contact will receive a letter requiring a 14-day quarantine.
• The individuals contacted would vary based on the physical distancing and behaviors.
• Even those at six feet (and even greater) distance would be notified as they were in proximity for extended periods of time.
• Age certainly is a factor in that it is more likely a younger student would remove a mask, particularly during snack breaks.
• The behaviors at middle and high school are similar in that students who sit close to the positive case will be notified, but the complexity of extracurriculars and socializing come into play. Because it is more likely these students will take their masks off as they walk home, names of friend groups may be collected and shared with the county.
• Our plan is to cast as wide a net as we can within reason.

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The statement was issued 3 ½ weeks after the district returned to school with a mix of in-person and remote learning. Read more here: Haddonfield Schools To Offer In-Person, Remote Learning

“The greatest takeaway from the opening of the school year is that our students and staff have been able to navigate our current in-person school schedules while following the prescribed guidelines and restrictions,” Klaus said. This gives us greater confidence that, if we continue to follow these protocols, we can realistically begin to plan moving into Phase 2.”

He warned against complacency.

“Over the course of days and weeks, actions tend to become routine and are completed without the focus required,” Klaus said. “Behaviors like the daily screening form, wearing masks, handwashing, and social distancing can be taken for granted. These actions and behaviors are the very things that will enable us to keep schools open in the long run. I thank you for your diligence in adhering to these protocols to this point, and I encourage you to remain diligent as we move forward.

“Obviously we want the system to run smoothly, efficiently, and quickly, so we can share as much public information as possible in the shortest time. We have already started to adjust our approach to become more efficient and have reached out to the CCDoH to discuss ways in which we can be better partners in future communication. Thank you for your attention to all of these guidelines and restrictions. I appreciate all that you, our students and our staff have done so far to make in-school learning possible.”

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