HMHS student tests positive for COVID-19
A student at Haddonfield Memorial High School has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The School District was notified of the case late on Friday afternoon, by the Camden County Department of Health.
This morning, Chuck Klaus, the superintendent of schools, sent the following letter to parents, guardians, and staff:
This letter is to inform you that an individual at Haddonfield Memorial High School has tested positive for
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The District received verbal confirmation from the Camden County Department of Health of this positive case at approximately 4:30 PM today. Contact tracers will be using timelines based on the onset of symptoms and dates of positive test results. If there are individuals identified as close-contacts, whether the contacts happened in school or elsewhere, they will be notified by the district and/or the Camden County Department of Health within 24-48 hours.
Here are all of the details that we are permitted to share at this time:
● The student is a female in her 10s (between 10 and 19) in Cohort 1 (A).
● The student was last in school on Tuesday, October 6.
● The student participated in after-school athletics on Monday, October 5 through Thursday, October 8.
● The student is asymptomatic.
● The student received notice of a positive COVID test on Friday, October 9. According to guidelines,
there is a “look back” period beginning two days prior to the onset of symptoms, which in this case is
Wednesday, October 7.
● Based on currently available information, this student did not likely contract the virus in school.
The District is coordinating closely with public health officials and following CDC, state, and local health department
guidelines in order to assure the health and safety of our community.
Cleaning and disinfecting of all exposed areas are completed daily. The school is also taking extra precautions to
prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and other germs and is cleaning frequently touched surfaces daily.
The status of this situation is fluid, and we are monitoring it closely.
We understand the level of concern regarding COVID-19. We encourage parents and students to continue following
the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention promoted safeguards, such as:
● Staying home when you are sick;
● Washing hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds;
● Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
● Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks, and utensils;
● Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);
● Wearing a face covering while in school, (additional mask guidance);
● Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms.
As always, we appreciate our community’s support and cooperation. We have shared all of the information that we are
permitted to share publicly at this time. If there is additional information to share, we will do so under the guidance of our
medical team and the Camden County Department of Health. You can assist us by remaining vigilant but sensible in your
approach to dealing with this health concern. Below are some resources that might be helpful.
RESOURCES
a) NJDOH COVID-19 Information for Communities and the General Public:
https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_community.shtml
b) Get the Facts about Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
c) Symptoms of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptomstesting/symptoms.html
d) Testing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/index.html; https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing e) How to Protect Yourself: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-gettingsick/prevention.html
f) What to Do if You Are Sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/stepswhen-sick.html