Manchester Schools Reports 6 Weekend Coronavirus Cases: Officials

MANCHESTER, NJ — After new cases of the coronavirus were identified in Manchester Township's elementary school, leading to a temporary transition to remote learning, five other cases of the coronavirus were identified among district staff.

In a letter posted to the school's website, superintendent David Trethaway said the weekend's cases included two high school staff members, one middle school staff member and one Regional Day staff member.

At the M.T.E.S. level, two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend, Trethaway said.

In the letter, Trethaway said several M.T.E.S. staff members were exposed to the coronavirus over the weekend during a "situation that occurred outside of school. As a result, several staff members and students were placed on quarantine status.

The close contacts of all staff members who contracted the virus were identified and reported to the county's board of health, according to the letter.

"This resulted in a decrease in staff and supervision in specific areas and resulted in the need to place M.T.E.S. on remote only instruction," Trethaway said. "After reviewing this information, M.T.E.S. will remain on remote only instruction until Monday, January 25. Our regular hybrid instruction will continue in all other schools in the district."

The district on Monday also announced several cases that were reported over the holiday break: five high school students, one middle school staff member, one Whiting staff member and one Ridgeway staff member.

Cases that occurred over the weekend and during the holiday break are believed to be isolated, Trethaway said. None were the result of in-school activities.

The superintendent implored families to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding large crows and washing hands frequently.

"We must all do our part to avoid any further spread of the virus to remain safe and so we can continue to offer in-person instruction safely to all of our students," he wrote. "We understand the importance of in-person instruction, but the continuation of this type of instruction will always be based on the health and safety of our staff and students, and we all must do our part to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone."