Masks 'Strongly Encouraged' In Millburn Schools As COVID Cases Rise

MILLBURN, NJ — After Essex County was placed in a "High Covid Activity Level (CALI)" last week — and 45 COVID cases were confirmed in Millburn Middle School — the district's superintendent said that her administration will "strongly encourage" staff and students to mask up.

While COVID cases have come down drastically from the beginning of the pandemic (two years ago, the governor's office reported that 7,228 New Jersey residents had died of COVID by May 2020), there has been an uptick in cases in recent weeks. COVID hospitalizations have risen in 43 states in the last two weeks, said Becker's Hospital Review.

In New Jersey, several schools in New Jersey have reinstituted masking, including Montclair.

Last Thursday, Millburn Superintendent of Schools Christine Burton noted in a "district health letter" that the middle school was seeing more COVID cases.

And on Friday, she said, "The community is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, reflected in the recent Department of Health announcement that most of New Jersey, including our region, has transitioned to a high covid activity level. As a result of this new transmission level, the NJ DOH has updated their recommendations/guidance for schools. As we have been doing when we see an increase in cases in a classroom or school, we will strongly encourage all staff and students to wear masks, and will consider other measures."

These measures include, she said:

1. Strongly considering universal masking for all students and staff. This may include outdoor activities as well, especially for outdoor activities where close contact occurs.
2. Maximize the physical distancing between students/staff to the greatest extent possible especially during higher-risk activities, eating, singing, etc.
3. Consider transitioning certain meetings/club activities to virtual as feasible.
4. Continued cleaning/disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces.
5. Increasing air ventilation as feasible and/or making use of outdoor areas weather permitting (and allergies)

Burton also encouraged watching for symptoms during gatherings, and wearing a mask to any events in areas with a high or very high transmission level.

The district has been conducting weekly testing for students who need it. Burton noted that families can use the Back to Work Solutions link to register or get a prescription for testing.

The COVID-19 Dashboard on the district website gives information on cases.

Vaccination Center Has Moved

Two weeks ago, Essex County announced that it had closed its COVID vaccination and testing site in West Orange and moved it to the Livingston Mall. Mobile testing sites are being announced each week. Vaccinations are free of charge. Get the rundown here.

Residents 50 and over in New Jersey are now eligible for a second booster. Click here for the details: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj...

The Washington Post published a new report last month about COVID vaccinations waning over time, hence the need for another booster.

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