As Coronavirus Concerns Mount, Secaucus Schools Do Half Days

SECAUCUS, NJ — Starting this Thursday, the Secaucus public school district will implement a series of half days at all public schools so the district can prepare for home-based learning due to the coronavirus.

"This is so the teachers can prepare to teach remotely," said Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli.

The news was announced at midday Tuesday by Secaucus schools superintendent Jennifer Montesano, who sent a letter home to parents. The half day closings will begin this Thursday, March 12 and last through next Tuesday, March 17. This is so the district can have time to prepare to teach children from home; teachers and staff will remain in school during those days to prepare for remote learning, she said.

"There are no reported or confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Secaucus. However, as a school district we are planning for the possibility of delivering home instruction to all of our students in the event this is necessary," Montesano wrote in her letter. "Secaucus public schools will have a number of early dismissals to prepare for such an event."

The remote learning may have to continue for an unknown, but extended, period of time.

The school closures will be as follows:

Thursday, March 12: Half day for Secaucus Middle/High school

Friday, March 13: Half day for Secaucus Pre-K/both elementary schools (Huber and Clarendon)

Monday, March 16: Half day for middle/high school

Tuesday, March 17: Half day for pre-K/both elementary schools

The nearest case of coronavirus to Secaucus involves a West New York man. The 32-year-old resident of West New York is being treated at Hackensack Medical Center. He developed symptoms in late February. However, just today, New Jersey's first fatality from the coronavirus was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy: A 69-year-old man from Bergen County died of the disease. He was also at Hackensack University Medical Center.

The fatal victim had a history of diabetes, emphysema and hypertension. He had no history of traveling outside of the United States, although he did travel back and forth from New York, officials said. The man had a fever and cough and visited his primary care physician a week ago. He was given antibiotics, but didn't improve. He was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center on March 6.

He was isolated and his conditions deteriorated Monday night, when he went into cardiac arrest. He was revived, but then went into cardiac arrest again on Tuesday morning and died, officials said.

Four new coronavirus cases in New Jersey were also announced at midday on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, coronavirus has killed just over 4,000 people worldwide, 27 of those here in the U.S. However, to date 64,000 people who contracted the virus have fully recovered, according to the latest data. Health officials maintain that hand washing and staying home when sick will keep most people safe.