FaceBook Posts to Community Pages on Coronavirus

FaceBook Posts to the Community sites:


March 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM:  A copy of an email sent to me by our Health Officer:

From: Carol Chamberlain
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 11:21 AM
To: Kevin Nerwinski
Subject: RE: coronavirus cases

Kevin,

Just to review, upon receipt of a positive case form the NJDOH, the following steps are taken:

1. The case is confirmed through  review of laboratory results in the NJDOH Communicable Disease Reporting System (CDRSS)
2. The individual is contacted and the NJDOH COVID -19 Confirmed Case Interview Form is completed which asks the patient about where they have been, who they were in close contact with and how they moved through the community (transportation). This form is submitted to the NJDOH to be reviewed by the Communicable Disease Service staff and if additional  information or instruction is needed, it will be provided to the local health department.
3. Close contacts are notified and provided the following information:

-          Self- Isolation Agreement is forwarded to them to sign via email. Self isolation is for 14 days from the date of their last known exposure to the positive case

-          Monitoring log for temperatures and other symptoms is sent to them with understanding the health department will be in contact to review temps and symptoms.

-          Instructed if they become symptomatic to contact the health department (me) and they are provided daytime and nighttime contact information and they must contact their own healthcare provider.

-          Maintain log for contact person  - with exception if contacts are associated with a health care worker, the healthcare facility will monitor their own employees.

4. The confirmed case is to stay isolated for three days after temperature and symptoms are no longer present OR a minimum of 7 days  from the date symptoms started. Please note these criteria are fluid and have changed as the outbreak progresses therefore this could change at  any time.

Please remind people that COVID 19 is in the community at this time and there may be people who have COVID 19 who do not express significant symptoms, therefore everyone is asked to protect themselves by  practicing social distancing and handwashing .

I hope this is helpful.

Carol



March 17, 2020 at 9:40 AM


Hey Everyone! With the announcement that our community has confirmed two members of the same household have tested positive for the Coronavirus, has come a renewed and heightened cause for concern and a demand for more information on these two cases. Please know the following: These two individuals were under self quarantine for a period of time prior to when they were confirmed positive AND under self quarantine for more than 3 days prior to having any symptoms.

Each positive case is reported to the NJ DOH (Department of Health) and our Health Department. We then perform an extensive interview of the person(s) to obtain all information regarding their whereabouts and close contact encounters. All persons in the "close contact" category (within 6 ft for 10 minutes or more) are contacted and informed of potential exposure to the virus. The recommendation from NJDOH is a look back period of 3 days before the person started to feel sick. These persons were under self quarantine BEFORE that look back period since they already had been informed of a potential exposure during a gathering. Additionally, the persons who have tested positive maintain consistent communication with our health officer to report on their condition.

It is extremely important for everyone to remain calm. To be smart. To take the recommended precautions of social distancing, limiting public interactions, keep your hands clean at all times. If you feel sick, immediately self isolate and contact your health provider and follow recommendations.

The Coronavirus is in our community just as it is in many others. We need to accept this fact, and act responsibly to ourselves and others. Think twice before taking to social media and ask yourself, "Will my post unnecessarily cause panic among my community?" If the answer is yes, please don't post and call me or our Health Officer with your concern so we can discuss it further. Stay safe everyone.👊👊✌️

March 16, 2020 at 9:45 AM


Hey Everyone! I know you have been inundated with all things "Coronavirus" related, but I do want to keep you updated on municipal operations. Today, we made the decision to close municipal buildings and non-essential operations on Thursday and Friday for the next two weeks. The purpose of this is to reduce the movement of people in our buildings for the health and safety of our employees and the public that they interact with. Shutting down completely is not an option for us because we have an obligation to serve our community and continue to provide needed services.

I ask that you all make thoughtful decisions on what is and is not necessary in terms of choices to interact with others in a public setting. If you can call or email us with your inquiry in lieu of coming into the municipal building, that would be appreciated and responsible.

This is a very fluid situation with new information being received hourly. I am thinking in 2-week increments, but also knowing that at any moment I may have to respond to new information that will impact the "two-week" planning. I am confident that for the next 2 weeks we can maintain our services working Mon through Wed. Many employees are coming up with plans on what work they can do at home, and I am proud of the professionalism and commitment they are showing at this time.

Police, Fire, EMT and other essential employees will be required to continue with their responsibilities with much gratitude from me, our elected officials and the community.

Public restrooms at parks will be locked. The Senior Center will be closed except for the nutrition program will continue as modified (go to our website at www.lawrencetwp.com for more information on that and all things relating to our response to this public health crisis). Let's all continue to take the well established and publicized preventative actions to fight the spread of the virus. Stay safe. 👊👊✌️