Student Coronavirus 'Outbreak' After Jersey Shore Party: Official

JERSEY SHORE – Multiple students who attended a recent beach party at the Jersey Shore have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials announced this week.

Kingsway Regional High School students have tested positive for the coronavirus and the Gloucester County Health Department is "working hard" to determine the extent of the exposure, James Lavender, the district's superintendent, wrote in a letter to parents.

Lavender said his district is working with the health department to investigate an outbreak among a number of students who attended a beach party in Sea Isle City on Thursday, Aug. 13. Sports activities have been canceled for the remainder of the summer.

"Unfortunately, inconclusive and intermittent social media posts have become our best resource of information, exhausting both education and health officials throughout the process," he wrote.

"Therefore, we need your help as the status of the investigation is fluid and communication is vital as we work to mitigate additional community spread."

Gov. Phil Murphy has pointed to Jersey Shore parties as one of the biggest causes of recent coronavirus outbreaks, and a lack of cooperation with contact tracers has hindered the state's efforts to slow the New Jersey's rate of transmission. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ's COVID-19 Contact Tracing, Coronavirus Containment Efforts 'Highly Disturbing'

Murphy also issued a warning now that five Jersey Shore bars have been called out for breaking coronavirus orders within the past two weeks. Read more: Murphy Issues Warning After 5 Jersey Shore Bars Break COVID Rules

Lavender recommended that students who attended the beach party self-quarantine for 14 days, isolate away from others immediately and get tested as soon as possible.

He also asked parents to call school officials and let them know if your child attended the party.

Lavender also asked parents to self-monitor for symptoms, such as a 100.4 degree temperature, sore throat, cough, diarrhea or vomiting, headache, loss of taste or smell, congestion and body aches.

"Although we are in summer recess, our students are presently engaged in multiple activities, camps and athletic practices led by team captions," he said.

"If/when a child is exposed, they risk transmitting the virus to their peers, coaches and family members," he said.

All captain-led practices have been canceled for the duration of summer recess.

Lavender said the reopening for in-person instruction "rests solely with each of us" and "we each must play our part to be good neighbors and practice health measures promoted by many health experts."

"This experience underscores the realization that every student, parent, faculty and staff member has a responsibility to protect themselves, their families and every member of our school community," he said.