Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 12/4/2020

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony:

The Borough of Oakland is hosting our Annual Christmas tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony this Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in Veterans Park (Behind Oakland Library). Attendees must wear masks and be socially distanced. The ceremony will be recorded and played on the Borough’s YouTube Channel and Oakland TV.

Yard Waste Collection Ends Next Week:

As a reminder, North Side Yard Waste Collection ends of December 7th and South Side Yard Waste Collection ends on December 8th.

Register for Emergency Notifications: COVID-19 Vaccination Info to be sent via E-Blast & Reverse 9-1-1:

The Borough of Oakland has not yet been provided with any information as to how COVID-19 vaccinations will be administered. When we do have that information, we will want to do what we can to make sure that every resident receives that information. We will use all of our communication vehicles including the e-blast, Swift Reach Reverse 911 calls, and social media to get this information out in a timely manner. Our "go to" methods for disseminating this critical information will be the e-blast ("News and Announcements") and Swift Reach Reverse 9-1-1. To be successful, we need every resident to register for the e-blast and/or Reverse 9-1-1 calls. If you are not yet registered or if you know someone that has not registered, please register or have them register today.

Register for the E-Blast ("News and Announcements"):

Borough Happenings distributes periodic e-mails from the Borough with Borough News, emergency alerts, information on special events and upcoming meetings. It is also used to alert residents on localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories, and will be used to disseminate information on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Click here to register yourself or a friend or neighbor in Oakland for the Borough's e-blast.

Register for the Swift Reach Reverse 9-1-1 Emergency Notification System:

The Borough utilizes a community alert notification service called Swift Reach, which will alert residents on localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories. Swift Reach is administered through the Borough of Oakland. Swift Reach can deliver information to residents instantly through text or email. Typically, this will be real-time communication on issues such as paving projects, road closings, storm information, emergency management alerts, garbage and recycling schedule changes, and public events. It will be used to disseminate information on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

To register, visit the Borough Website www.oakland-nj.org homepage and click on the Swift Reach Button on the left hand side, or click here.

Once registered, residents will receive a confirmation call and/or text to their mobile device.

A comprehensive communications network will be vital to the orderly administration of the COVID-19 vaccination process. Do your part to stay informed. The health and well-being of our community depends on it. 

Virtual Borough Council Meeting:

There will be a Virtual Borough Council Meeting on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom Video Conferencing. To register for the meeting, click here. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Oakland TV Channel 77 and FiOS 45, and on the Borough’s YouTube Channel.  

County of Bergen Announces Mobile COVID-19 Testing at Bergen Community College:

The County of Bergen, in collaboration with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center will extend their COVID-19 testing efforts by launching a new drive-thru program at Bergen Community College located at 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, N.J.

The program will offer antigen nasal swab rapid COVID-19 tests that provide results in 24 hours or less on the following days below for the month of December:

Testing is available to all county residents free of charge, regardless of health insurance status. Residents must schedule their test through an online portal which can be reached at www.BergenCOVIDTesting.com. Please note residents must bring their mobile device for check-in.  Identification is necessary so please bring ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: your driver’s license/ID card, social security card, passport, or birth certificate.  Proof of Bergen County residency or proof of employment that you work for one of the 70 municipalities or are employed by a Bergen County public school is required so please bring your driver’s license, utility bill, employee work ID or paystub.  If you have health insurance, please bring your with you as well.

“As winter approaches, and cases continue to rise, it is critical that the County continues to provide testing for the foreseeable future,” said Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III. “Thanks to the efforts of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and the County of Bergen, starting December 1^st all residents will be able to receive free, quick, and easy COVID-19 drive-thru testing at the centrally located Bergen Community College campus in Paramus. This battle is not over and we must remain vigilant until a vaccine is widely available.”

“Bergen County will continue to lead the way in our fight against COVID-19. With the holidays around the corner, availability of testing will be essential to limiting the predicted spike in cases,” said Mary Amoroso, Chairwoman of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, we have worked collaboratively with the County of Bergen to make sure that all residents had access to testing, regardless of their health insurance status or ability to pay. We remain committed in these efforts and look forward to offering antigen rapid testing which will provide results in 24 hours or less,” said Deb Visconi, President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.

“The College actively supports our County partners in the continued fight against COVID-19 and is pleased to serve as the host since we are centrally and conveniently located site for this new drive-thru rapid testing program,” said Dorothy L. Blakeslee, Bergen Community College Board of Trustees Chairwoman.

The County of Bergen and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center remind all residents that mobile testing is only one way to get tested. COVID-19 nasal, saliva, and antibody testing are also available by appointment at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.  To make an appointment please visit https://www.newbridgehealth.org/covid-19-testing/ for more information.

Oakland Elks Lodge Announces Winter Coat Drive:

Oakland Elks Lodge 2167 has announced a Winter Coat Drive until December 31, 2020. Drop off new, used, and clean coats at the Oakland Elks Front Porch, 33 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, N.J. 07436. Coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, sleeping bags, and blankets are accepted. Please help keep our community warm!

Help Fight the Spread of COVID-19: Download the COVID Alert App:

COVID Alert NJ is New Jersey's free and secure mobile app that anonymously alerts users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The app also provides users with up-to-date information on New Jersey reopening news, key COVID-19 metrics, and a user-friendly symptom tracking tool. COVID Alert NJ uses Bluetooth proximity technology. The app will never record any identifying data. All users will remain anonymous.  

For more information, click here, or download the COVID Alert NJ app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Coronavirus Positive Tests in Oakland:

The Borough of Oakland has been notified by the Bergen County Department of Health that there are 8 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Oakland, bringing our total to 386 positive reported cases. There are 37 new positive cases in Franklin Lakes bringing their to-date total to 380 cases, and 42 new positive cases in Wyckoff bringing their to-date total to 626 cases. Bergen County reported 2,423 new positive cases since Tuesday, bringing the County of Bergen total to 35,900. Today the Borough of Oakland was notified by the Bergen County Department of Health that there was 5,673 new positive COVID-19 cases reported today, bringing the state-wide New Jersey total to 356,662 cases.

If anyone has questions about COVID-19, you can call the 24-hour New Jersey Hotline at (800) 222-1222. You can also visit the State of NJ Coronavirus Website Here.

Important Resources:

• The latest data on coronavirus infections in New Jersey are available on the New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard has been updated to provide more information on scope of the virus and hospitalizations, including the number of patients hospitalized, discharged, in critical care, in intensive care, and on ventilators, along with data on statewide ventilator capacity, numbers of positive/negative tests, and more.
• New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub includes valuable resources and information for families, workers, and employers who have questions or needs arising from the current crisis.
• Testing Sites: To locate a testing location, specifics on how to get a test, and the hours of operation, click here.
• Information for businesses impacted by COVID-19.