Positive Coronavirus Case At Ridge High School

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—In an announcement that casts doubt on the possibility of at least some in-person instruction happening this fall, the Bernards Township School District notified parents on Wednesday evening of a positive COVID-19 test.

"A student athlete of Ridge High School has a laboratory confirmed case of Coronavirus disease," said a statement by BTSD. "The District is coordinating closely with public health officials and following CDC, state, and local health department guidance in order to assure the health and safety of our community."

The district said all practices and activities are suspended until further notice. Exposed areas at the school will be disinfected and the health department is beginning to coordinate contact tracing.

The Bernards Township Health Department and the school district did not immediately return requests for additional information on Wednesday night. There have been 4,798 coronavirus cases in Somerset County as of Aug. 18, with 297 of those in Bernards. The township has reported 42 coronavirus fatalities, the fourth highest total in the county.