Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

April 27, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

Mercer County has reported, as of April 27, 2020, there have been 78 new cases for a total of 3,433 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 6 additional deaths for a total of 194 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. The State of New Jersey today reported 2,150 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 111,188 cases, and 106 additional deaths for a total of 6,044 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the New Jersey official COVID-19 dashboard (CLICK HERE).

If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one during the current crisis, NJMentalHealthCares is available 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. at (866) 202-HELP (4357).

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES

Governor Phil Murphy announced today, April 27, 2020, his vision, “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” to restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery. Governor Murphy outlined six key principles and benchmarks to guide the process for restoring New Jersey’s economic health by ensuring public health.  Governor Murphy’s stay-at-home Executive Order, which has been in effect since March 21, will remain in effect in its entirety until further notice.

Principle 1: Demonstrate Sustained Reductions in New COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations

• 14-day trend lines showing appreciable and sustained drop in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and other metrics reflecting decreasing burden of disease;
• Hospitals stepping down from functioning under crisis standards of care.

Principle 2: Expand Testing Capacity

• At least double current diagnostic testing capacity;
• Prioritize testing for health care workers, essential personnel, and vulnerable populations;
• Create a flexible testing plan accessible to all residents;
• Expand partnerships with institutions of higher education, private-sector labs, and the federal government;
• Ensure that those who test positive are linked to a health care provider.  

Principle 3: Implement Robust Contact Tracing

•  Recruit and deploy an army of personnel who will identify and follow-up with contacts;
• Leverage technological data and innovative solutions to increase efficiency;
• Coordinate the approach of local and state health officials, which will have a coordinated county/regional component. 

Principle 4: Secure Safe Places and Resources for Isolation and Quarantine

• To the greatest extent possible, provide individuals who do test positive in the future with a safe and free place to isolate and protect others from COVID-19;
• Ensure that quarantined contacts are provided supportive services, if needed.

Principle 5: Execute a Responsible Economic Restart

• Create the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission to advise on the process and recommend responsible and equitable decisions;
• Plan for a methodical and strategic return to work based on level of disease transmission risk and essential classification;
• Continuation of social distancing measures, requirements for face coverings, and work-from-home directions where feasible and appropriate;
• Leverage any available federal funds and programs to support health care, individual, and small business recoveries.

Principle 6: Ensure New Jersey’s Resiliency

• Learn from the lessons of COVID-19 and prepare for the possibility of a resurgence;
• Ensure hospitals, health care systems, and other health delivery facilities have inventories of personal protective equipment and ventilators;
• Build our own state personal protective equipment and ventilator stockpile;
• Create a playbook for future administrations for the next pandemic.

For a one-page summary of Governor Murphy’s plan to restore New Jersey’s economic through public health, CLICK HERE.

The New Jersey Department of Labor has posted step-by-step instructions for those going online to claim weekly unemployment benefits. The guide can be found HERE.   The Department of Labor has also posted unemployment benefit information for Self-Employed Workers during the Coronavirus Emergency. The information can be found HERE.

For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:

• Call: 2-1-1
• Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
• Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
• Visit covid19.nj.gov for additional information

PRIOR UPDATES

For prior updates and resources visit the EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP COVID-19 information webpage:
www.east-windsor.nj.us/COVID

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.