OCEAN CITY, NJ (Updated March 5, 2021) - As Cape May County is experiencing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, which has placed the County in the moderate risk zone, it is important to understand the definitions of close contact. The U.S. health officials, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), redefined what counts as close contact with someone with COVID-19 to include briefer, but repeated encounters.
For months, the CDC said close contact meant spending a solid 15 minutes within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for coronavirus. The CDC changed it to a total of 15 minutes or more — so shorter but repeated contacts that add up to 15 minutes over a 24-hour period now count.
The CDC advises anyone who has been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient to quarantine for two weeks.
Totals Post Winter Break (Updated March 5, 2021)
The number of close contact cases as of March 5, 2021 for the School District are: 290. There have been 82 positive cases in the School District post winter break.
School
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Student/Staff Placed on Quarantine Status (Close/Direct Contact)
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Positive Cases
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High School
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182
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48
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Intermediate School
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70
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22
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Primary School
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38
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12
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Prior to winter break, there were 488 close contact cases and 79 positive cases within the District.
OCSD Messages
1-12 UPDATE: Five Day In-Person Instruction Starting February
Official Links
The New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine
The NJ COVID-19 Weekly Activity Report
The NJDOH COVID-19 Updates Dashboard
The Cape May County Department of Health 30-Day Summary of Cases
"COVID-19 Vaccines: Know the Facts"
NJDOH Closure Information
Quarantine Options From the NJ Department of Health (Updated Dec. 11, 2020)
Archived Information
12-11 UPDATE: OCSD MESSAGE - Changes and Adjustments in OCSD Schools
11-25 UPDATE: OCSD MESSAGE - COVID Activity Level Update
11-23 UPDATE: OCSD MESSAGE - Potential High Risk Status and Impact
11-2 UPDATE: NJ COVID-19 Vaccination Plan At-A-Glance
References
· NJDOH, “Investigation Guidance for New Jersey Local Health Departments”, September 7, 2020
· New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6A, Chapter 16 2 and N.J.A.C.10:122 (Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers) mandate that each school district/child care center shall immediately report any communicable diseases that are identified as reportable pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:57 1, whether confirmed or presumed, by telephone to the health officer of the jurisdiction in which the school is located
· Does not include transmission associated with extracurricular activities e.g., school sports team practices, social gatherings involving multiple students from the same school
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