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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 4/16/2020

From Mayor Linda H. Schwager
Posted on: April 16, 2020 - 4:24pm
Coronavirus Update 4/16/2020

Coronavirus Positive Tests in Oakland:

Today the Borough of Oakland was notified by the Bergen County Health Department that there are a total of 141 individuals in Oakland who tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Bergen County Health Department is no longer providing towns with patient details such as gender and age so we are not able to provide that information to the community.

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.

Garbage, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection Update:

The Borough of Oakland is aware of some missed recycling collections and arrangements are being made for pickups in the affected areas.  Due to the Coronavirus, our waste hauler is short staffed. If your yard waste collection has been missed, please leave it out at the curb and we assure you the hauler will be back to collect the material by the end of the week.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Special Senior hours for Grocery and Department Stores:

  • Oakland Shop Rite: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday – “High Risk or Elderly”
  • Stop and Shop: 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. daily – Ages 60+
  • Target: First hour after opening Tuesday and Wednesday – Ages 65+
  • Walgreen’s: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. every Tuesday – Ages 55+
  • Costco: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – Ages 60+
  • BJ’s: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. daily – Ages 60+
  • Walmart: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. every Tuesday – Ages 60+
  • Rite Aid: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. daily – Ages 60+
  • Dollar Tree: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. daily – Ages 60+
  • Market Basket: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday – Ages 60+

Please plan on bringing personal identification for all locations as many are checking for age.

School Closures:

New Jersey public schools will remain closed through at least Friday, May 15th.

Federal Stimulus Payments:

The IRS has started to issue Economic Impact Payments using direct deposit information from 2018 or 2019 tax returns. Non-filers can enter their payment info here. You can check the status of your payment using the “Get My Payment” tool on the IRS website. Click here for answers to common questions.

Child Care for Essential Workers:

The N.J. Office of Children and Families has published new resources for essential workers to use to identify certified childcare centers. A copy of the county-based child care centers spreadsheet that includes all certified centers that will operate on and after April 1, 2020 is attached. The website is https://www.childcarenj.gov/Parents/CCRR. Essential workers are encouraged to phone their county childcare resource and referral agencies if additional information is needed.

Tuition Assistance for Child Care for Essential Workers:

The Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development has announced a new Emergency Child Care Assistance (ECCA) Program to help support childcare costs when a parent or guardian is an essential employee, regardless of income (https://www.childcarenj.gov/Emergency). The Department notes that if an essential worker currently receives child care assistance under the state’s Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) or is eligible for it, child care costs will be fully covered by the state.

Physician Volunteers:

DOH has created a streamlined process in the event that entire physician practices seek to volunteer for the COVID-19 response. Instead of using the individual form for volunteers on the state’s COVID-19 information hub, group practices make contact Thalia Sirjue at Thalia.Sirjue@doh.nj.gov.

Testing Coverage:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued guidance yesterday to ensure Americans with private health insurance have coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing, including antibody testing, at no cost. The guidance includes urgent care visits, emergency room visits and in-person or telehealth visits to the doctor’s office that result in an order for or administration of a COVID-19 test. Covered COVID-19 tests include all FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic tests, COVID-19 diagnostic tests that developers request authorization for on an emergency basis and COVID-19 diagnostic tests developed in and authorized by states. It also ensures that COVID-19 antibody testing will also be covered.

Courts Update:

NJ Courts announced that probating wills may be done at the Bergen County Surrogate's Office. Call 201-336-6700 for details. 

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: There are currently 57 COVID-19 testing sites across the state, including State-sponsored and private facilities. 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.