April 8, 2020 - The Washington Township Health Department, in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Health, has confirmed 30 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Washington Township through April 7, 2020. Four of those have been confirmed as recovered and released from isolation. The other cases are in isolation, and Washington Township Health Department is following all appropriate NJ Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control protocols in conducting an efficient and comprehensive follow up. Washington Township Health Department is identifying close contacts of these cases to determine the need for self-monitoring. According to the state Department of Health, there are 44,416 positive cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey and 2,239 positive cases in Morris County.
A close contact is defined as anyone who has been less than six feet apart from the case for more than ten minutes. It is not defined as brief casual contact. Close contacts are notified and provided information for quarantine, with an emphasis placed on those contacts who are high risk. An example of a high risk contact would be someone who has a co-morbidity, is an elder adult, or someone who is a health care worker.
We advise residents to keep in mind that the increases we expect to see in the days ahead are partially due to testing expansion (as more people are tested, more cases are identified) and partially due to an increase in spread.
HIPPA requirements (which protect each individual’s right to privacy) limit the information we are able to share to the number of cases and general information about the age range
Currently, there is no vaccination for COVID-19. The Health Department is urging all residents to take simple precautions to protect themselves and others from respiratory illness:
· Stay home as per the directive of the Governor of New Jersey.
· Stay home if you are sick.
· Limit close contact with people who are sick if you must go out.
· No groups larger than 10, observe social distancing while out.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Avoid handshakes. Try an elbow bump.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
· If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hand).
· Get a flu shot to prevent the flu if you have not done so this season.
For more information on COVID-19:
Visit the COVID19 information hub at https://covid19.nj.gov/
The New Jersey Department of Health website https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
NJDOH Coronavirus Dashboard - https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml
NJPIES Call Center
1-800-222-1222
1-800-962-1253 non-NJ cell phone
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 for text message updates on COVID19 in New Jersey
Call 211 for additional information.