West Orange High School Closing For 2 Weeks; Multiple COVID Cases

WEST ORANGE, NJ -- West Orange High School will close for two weeks due to multiple cases of the coronavirus, administrators said. Read our update to this story: West Orange Cheer Event Didn't Cause COVID Closure, Official Says

Superintendent Scott Cascone issued the following statement about the closure to community members on Monday:

"This correspondence is to inform you that there have been multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 at West Orange High School. It is important to note that there are connections between some of the positive cases related to various school events. Of the confirmed cases, there are a few in which there is no clear connection to outside events or exposure to positive cases that we are aware of at this time. Therefore, in an attempt to be proactive in ensuring the health and safety of staff and students at West Orange High School, the decision has been made in consultation with local medical professionals, building administration, and district administration to close the building for two weeks. As a result of the building being closed prior to Spring Break, staff and students may return on Monday, April 19."

Cascone continued:

"Contact tracing has been conducted and notifications to students and staff have been taking place. The necessary quarantine has been implemented to restrict further spread of the virus. School personnel will notify you if your child is affected and, likewise, administration will notify staff affected by such instances of positive cases. If you have any questions about your child's need to quarantine, please contact your school nurse or building administrator. As always, we appreciate our community's support and cooperation. Please continue to follow social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene protocols both in and outside of the school environment, as this is essential to keeping our programs operating. The assessment of our operations continues and determinations will be made in the best interest of safety.

"Please note that additional, district-wide case information can be found on the district website on the COVID 19 DashboardCOVID 19 Dashboard," Cascone said. "I thank you in advance for your time and attention and wish you a pleasant day."

Virtual instruction/classes will continue to begin at 9:45 a.m., school officials added in a social media post.

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