Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 5/6/2020
Coronavirus Positive Tests in Oakland:
Today the Borough of Oakland was notified by the Bergen County Health Department that there are a total of 212 individuals in Oakland who tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Bergen County has a total of 16,520 positive Coronavirus Cases, and the State of NJ has 131,890 positive 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.
State of NJ Public Health Emergency Extended 30 Days:
Today Governor Phil Murphy signed an Executive Order extending the State’s Public Health Emergency Declaration by 30 days. Per Governor Murphy, these declarations, unless extended, expire after 30 days.
Bergen County New Bridge Saliva Testing:
The Bergen New Bridge Medical Center drive thru site started saliva testing today. They will keep nasal swabs in reserve, but all testing will primarily be saliva testing from now on. They will be retrofitting the site tomorrow morning with an additional new tent to accommodate the change in work flow. They are now also offering antibody testing (finger prick blood test). Please follow the link for information: https://www.newbridgehealth.org/bergen-covid19-screening/. This is for Bergen County first responders, Bergen County hospital employees, Bergen County residents, and employees of either the County or a local municipality. They will test both symptomatic and asymptomatic people for both saliva and antibody testing. You still must register through the telehealth portal (link above) and get an appointment for either test. Saliva testing will be done at the drive thru site and antibody testing will be done inside the hospital.
NJSIAA Cancels High School Spring Sports Season:
While many were hoping that some portion of the spring sports season could take place prior to the end of the school year, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association has officially canceled New Jersey’s 2020 high school spring sports season following the announcement that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. The NJSIAA said is developing plans for the potential restart of scholastic sports during the fall season.
The three Veterans Homes operated by the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) in Paramus, Menlo Park, and Vineland are accepting donations of personal protective equipment such as: medical/surgical masks, washable homemade masks, face shields, goggles, washable surgical gowns, hand sanitizer, and vinyl gloves. Donations help both the residents and the staff who care for them. You can donate these items by contacting each Home directly to coordinate a drop-off. Contact information is in the link above.
May Is Mental Health Awareness Month:
Many New Jerseyans are feeling stress, isolation, or grief right now due to the coronavirus. Please know there is support if you need help. Call the NJ Mental Health Cares at 1-866-202-4353 or text ‘NJ’ to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Adding Health Care Workers:
Recent graduates of nursing, physician assistant, pharmacy, and respiratory care therapy programs who have not yet been able to take and pass their licensing exams will be granted temporary emergency licenses. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has begun accepting applications for the emergency graduate licensure program.
Happy National Nurses Week:
We appreciate all our public health nurses that are working on the front line during this public health pandemic. Thank you for all you do to ensure the health and safety of all Oakland residents!
Submit your artwork, essays, and poems for the Oakland Time Capsule:
The Oakland Franklin Lakes Rotary Club is inviting children residing in Oakland and Franklin Lakes to contribute personal artwork, essays and/or poems describing this unprecedented time in history for inclusion in a "time capsule" scrapbook, a copy of which will be housed in our local libraries and featured on the Rotary Facebook page. Submissions are due by June 15, 2020 via (1) scanning and emailing the document or artwork as an attachment to oflrotary@gmail.com OR (2) mail to Oakland-Franklin Lakes Rotary c/o Linda Schwager, 195 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, New Jersey 07436. (Submissions must include name, age and town of residence).
REMINDER: Complete the U.S. Census!
The 2020 U.S. Census is happening now. There are many ways you can respond – online, by phone, or by mail. Please note that if you are responding online, you must complete the census in one sitting, as you don't have the ability to save your progress. One person should respond for each home. That person must be at least 15 years old. They should live in the home or place of residence themselves and know general information about each person living there. As of today, Oakland has a 76.3% response rate for the Census, compared to 58.6% for the State of NJ. Let’s keep it up, Oakland!
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.
