Murphy: ‘More draconian steps’ to stop coronavirus spread likely coming to N.J.

As coronavirus cases continue to grow, New Jerseyans can expect “more draconian measures” in the coming days and weeks to prevent its spread in the state, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Sunday morning.

He said people should look to Hoboken and Teaneck, where curfews and calls by local officials to self-quarantine have been put in place, as examples of what to expect as the numbers of people who test positive for the virus rise.“(It’s) the notion of keeping population groupings low,” Murphy said on a morning call to WBLS to discuss the state’s response.“We will be looking at more draconian steps,” he s… Read the rest of this entry »

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Woman in her 50’s dies at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold

Sad to announce our second death of an individual with #COVID19 – a female in her 50s who was being treated at @CentraState Medical Center in Monmouth County.

Please wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing. We will get through this together.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 15, 2020

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President Donald Trump tests negative for coronavirus, his doctor says

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has tested negative for the new coronavirus, according to the president’s personal physician.

The White House released the test results Saturday night after Trump told reporters hours earlier that he had taken the coronavirus test, following days of resisting being screened despite the fact that he had been in recent contact with three people who have tested positive for the virus.

Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on Saturday that he had his temperature taken and it was “totally normal,” shortly before stepping into the room to discuss the g… Read the rest of this entry »

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Smith: Stopping coronavirus pandemic and finding a cure, vaccine must be our highest priority—no matter the cost

WASHINGTON, DC – As the House tonight passed its second comprehensive bipartisan bill to combat the coronavirus (COVID 19), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said that “containing the outbreak, finding a cure and a safe and effective vaccine must be our highestpriority—no matter the cost.”

“We must contain the coronavirus pandemic and protect all people, especially those most vulnerable to the disease such as the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions,” said Smith, who strongly supported and voted for the measure hours after President Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency, opening the door for states and local governments to receive additional federal assistance. Read the rest of this entry »

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Trump says widespread coronavirus testing to begin ‘soon’ as administration cuts red tape

(USA Features) President Donald Trump said Friday that thanks to reductions in regulatory burdens widespread testing of Americans for COVID-19 are set to begin “soon.”

“The changes have been made and testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis. All Red Tape has been cut, ready to go!” he wrote in a tweet Friday morning.

The president also criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lead organization in the health fight against the virus, for having a testing system in place he said would “always be inadequate and slow for a large pandemic.” It wasn’t clear what syst… Read the rest of this entry »

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Murphy recommends cancelling gatherings of more than 250

BREAKING: Today, I am recommending the cancellation of all public gatherings of 250+ people, including parades, concerts, and sporting events.

Social distancing works. This is our best chance to mitigate the chance of exposure & rapid spread of #COVID19.https://t.co/AKOFRSvkQF pic.twitter.com/uFVplz6L3y

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 12, 2020

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Four COVID-19 cases in Monmouth County, Officials responding and mitigating

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said that there are now four cases of COVID-19 in the County and that County officials are monitoring the situation and taking action to ensure the public health and safety residents.

Two of the presumptive positive cases are senior citizen females from Hazlet, 66 and 83,  who are clients of the Golden Age Adult Medical Day Care Center in Marlboro.

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Oceanport Schools Closed Thursday and Friday due to COVID-19 concerns

The Oceanport School District, which is comprised of an elementary school and a middle school, will be closed on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, according to an announcement on the district’s website. Read the rest of this entry »

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Red Bank Regional High School Goes Virtual As Student Contracts COVID-19

A Red Bank Regional High School student has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 and the school with hold its classes via the Internet starting tomorrow, March 12, 2019. The school’s Virtual School Insturctional Plan and be found here.

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DiMaso and Scharfenberger urge calm and caution in response to COVID-19 outbreak

Assembly Members Serena DiMaso and Gerry Scharfenberger are urging Monmouth County residents to remain calm and to use proper precautions as we deal with the outbreak of  COVID-19 in New Jersey. Read the rest of this entry »

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