6 NEW COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES REPORTED ON WEDNESDAY

2 IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND 4 COMMUNITY-WIDE

**According to data from the Middlesex County Board of Health, 76% of deaths in Monroe Township are from private long-term care facilities.   

COVID-19 Cases received Wednesday, May 6:  New positive cases 6 

 STATE AND NJDOH STATISTICS:  

• As of 10 p.m. last night:4,996 residents hospitalized for COVID-19, 1,470 patients in either critical or intensive care.Governor Murphy said we’ve not been under 1,500 since April 4^th. 
• The number of hospitalizations has decreased by 40 percent in three weeks, according to Governor Murphy.
• 75% of ICU patients are on ventilators. 1,107 ventilators currently in use.This number continues to DECLINE. 
• 261,869 tests performed, 102,846 positive, positivity rate is 39.27%
• Governor Murphy has directed the NJ National Guard to deploy its members to long-term care facilities beginning this coming weekend to assist in COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
• “At our long-term care facilities, the numbers of positive cases and deaths connected to these facilities continues to grow,” said Governor Murphy.“However, we’re confident that the efforts we’re taking are going to save lives.”
• South Jersey remains where we see more people heading into the hospital than leaving said Governor Murphy.
• The NJ Labor Department has now received more than one million claims. In just two months, it has sent out $1.9 billion in unemployment assistance.Last week, the Department processed an additional 72,000 federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims.

MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY:  “Getting through this is going to take teamwork. It’s going to take compassion. It’s going to take focus.  All three are among our strong New Jersey values. We’re getting there. If we lean in on these values, there’s nothing we can’t beat.  In just three weeks, we decreased our number of hospitalizations by 40 percent.  This number has been brought down in large part because of EACH OF YOU.  We cannot let up with our social distancing – the fewer new cases, the fewer people in the hospital.  It's that simple.  

The number of patients currently being treated in our hospitals for COVID-19 has decreased to under 5,000 – standing currently at 4,996.  This is a milestone. It means that the stress on capacity is lessening, however, this still   means that 4,996 of our fellow New Jerseyans are in the hospital for COVID-19.  We still have far too many New Jerseyans in the hospital.”

CORONAVIRUS FACE MASKS & PROTECTION FAQS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE:  New information is emerging every day on how the new coronavirus spreads and the best ways to protect against COVID-19. The most effective protections include washing your hands frequently with soap and water and practicing social and physical distancing. However, wearing cloth face masks or coverings in public (when social distancing can’t be observed) does offer protection against spread of COVID-19. Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., an expert in infection prevention, provides guidance based on Johns Hopkins Medicine policy.  Read the full article here. 

EXPANDED TESTING AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC:  MyInstaDoc Monroe announced the availability of antibody blood testing and COVID-19 testing for anyone wishing to be tested at the facility located at 298 Applegarth Road.  REGISTER ONLINE FOR AN APPOINTMENT HERE AND ENTER YOUR INSURANCE INFORMAION. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SYMPTOMATIC TO SCHEDULE A TEST.  COVID-19 Nasal Swab Testing:  This continues to be a drive-up test site, open TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY. You must pre-register to secure a drive-up appointment time.  The facility will serve pre-registered COVID-19 testing patients only from 9am – 3pm.  igG Antibody Blood Testing will be conducted in-office by appointment.  To be considered, a patient must be free from all COVID-19 symptoms for no less than 14 days.  This test will assess them for subclinical infection in the past.

FACE COVERING AVAILABLE AT MONROE STOP & SHOP: Monroe Township OEM has issued over 2,000 pieces of PPE to the Monroe Stop & Shop.  Please request your face covering at the Courtesy Desk if needed.   

MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE:  For everyone struggling right now, there are places to turn for help and support: Mental Health Hotline: 866-202-4357. You can also text 741741 with the message “NJ” to reach the Crisis Text Line.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS:  The CDC has updated its list of COVID-19 symptoms to chills, shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and a loss of taste or smell. Onset of symptoms usually occurs between 2 and 14 days after exposure.