A student at the Passaic County Technical Institute, which has been holding in-person classes, has tested positive for Covid-19.
School officials notified staff members on Friday that a student in the “gray-cohort” tested positive for the deadly virus.
“All individuals that were in close contact with the student that tested positive have been contacted and will be required to quarantine until cleared by a physician,” states the notification.
It’s not clear how many people have been asked to quarantine as a result of being exposed to the virus.
Sandra Woods, spokeswoman for the Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI), did not respond to a call and email seeking information about the case on Monday.
Dozens of people were likely exposed to the virus, raising fears of an outbreak at the school, which has almost 4,000 students, nearly half of them Paterson residents. An outbreak at the school is almost certain to produce a corresponding outbreak in Paterson.
“Few dozen” Paterson students may have been exposed to the index case at the high school, said health officer Paul Persaud, who launched a mobile Covid-19 testing unit on Monday to curb a possible surge of cases expected in the cold months.
“All areas where the student has been assigned will undergo a deep cleaning immediately, and no one will be permitted to go into those areas until they have been properly disinfected,” states the school’s notification.
Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne has been operating on a hybrid model. Students at the school have been receiving a mixed of virtual and in-person schooling. Half the students come in for in-person learning on alternating days and the other half receive virtual instruction. Students receive two days of in-person instruction and three days of virtual learning, according to a July memo issued by the school’s superintendent Diana Lobosco.
Schools in Paterson opted to remain closed because of fears of spreading the virus. Paterson schools will operate remotely until November 2.
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