Howell High School Reports Positive COVID-19 Cases, Remains Open

HOWELL, NJ — Members of the Howell High School community have tested positive for COVID-19 but the school will remain open, according to a letter from principal Jeremy Braverman to the school community.

"After consulting with the local department of health, students at Howell High School will continue to attend classes and activities as scheduled," the letter read.

All areas of the school were sanitized, with special attention to the areas where an infected person had been, News12 reported.

Contact tracing was done immediately after a positive COVID-19 case was found, according to the letter. All close contacts have been notified by the administration and are receiving additional calls from the Department of Health.

READ MORE: 6 COVID Outbreaks At NJ Schools Since Start Of School Year

"We ask that the community refrain from spreading rumors and false information regarding positive cases," the letter also reads.

Officials are urging members of the school community to monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and to find medical help when they feel sick.

Howell is not the only school with COVID-19 cases days after the beginning of the school year.

Six outbreaks have been reported in school districts across the state. They include two in Atlantic County, one in Cumberland County, one in Monmouth County, one in Morris County and one in Union County, according to New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.

The cases reported were a combination of 20 staff and student cases at the school districts, said Gov. Phil Murphy.

As of Tuesday, there were 133 cumulative COVID-19 cases in children. Of those, none were hospitalized, said Persichilli.

Additional reporting by Alexis Terrazi