Sussex County schools return to in-person learning following COVID spike

Kyle Morel, New Jersey Herald
·2 min read

All Sussex County elementary, middle and high schools have returned to in-person instruction as the most recent spike in COVID cases appears to be on the decline locally and throughout the state.

County Executive Superintendent Gayle Carrick confirmed Monday that "all schools are open and all continue to follow updated NJDOH (New Jersey Department of Health) guidance."

The Sparta and Hopatcong districts, along with Lenape Valley Regional High School, announced earlier this month that they were temporarily moving to remote instruction due to staffing issues resulting from COVID illness or possible exposure. By last week, all three had reopened to in-person learning.

Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School second grade students walk the hallways in their masks on their first day of school Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School second grade students walk the hallways in their masks on their first day of school Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Currently, Sussex County Community College is the only county school holding classes remotely. The college announced last week that it would be virtual for the start of the spring semester, which began Monday, in hopes of resuming classes in-person Monday, Feb. 7.

The return to school for all younger students comes as the county's COVID numbers continue to trend downward since the high point only a few days into the new year.

The Sussex County Division of Health reported 171 new cases Friday, the fewest since 166 were announced Dec. 21. In the seven-day period from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21, the county averaged about 208 cases per day, down from about 365 the previous week.

In the first week of 2022, the county reported at least 476 new COVID cases each day. The 610 cases announced Jan. 4 marked the most of any single-day report since the start of the pandemic.

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The numbers are on a similar decline statewide. Gov. Phil Murphy announced 4,101 COVID hospitalizations overnight Sunday, compared to 5,282 a week ago and 6,089 at the latest wave's peak on Jan. 11. The number of COVID patients in intensive care dropped to 711 from 848 and those on ventilators to 465 from 537 on Jan. 17.

The New Jersey Department of Health guidelines for K-12 schools, most recently updated Jan. 19, still requires all staff and students at least two years of age to wear masks indoors in most cases. Exceptions include when eating or drinking, performing "high-intensity" physical activities, or when wearing a mask is unsafe or harmful to the individual's health.

However, Murphy said last week that he anticipates lifting the school mask mandate before the end of the school year if the numbers continue to drop.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Sussex County schools return to in-person learning post COVID spike