MONROE TOWNSHIP EMT’S DELIVER BABY GIRL ON NJ TURNPIKE; TRANSPORT MOM AND BABY TO HOSPITAL ON SATURDAY Monroe Township Emergency Medical Services members Nicole Esposito, Jaclyn Regina and Heather Nicholas may not have started their day thinking that th

Monroe Township Emergency Medical Services members Nicole Esposito, Jaclyn Regina and Heather Nicholas may not have started their day thinking that they would be helping bring new life into the world amidst a world-wide pandemic but that’s exactly what happened on Saturday morning.  

The EMT’s sprung to action as they responded to the scene of a mother in active labor in the cab of a truck on the NJ Turnpike.  Upon delivering the baby girl, the mother went into distress.  Both were immediately transported to St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick where they were reported in stable condition. Read full mycentraljersey.com article here.  Congratulations to EMTs Esposito, Regina and Nicolas on a job well done!  You make the Monroe Township community proud.  We are lucky to have you!  Pictured from left to right:  EMT Nicole Esposito, Supervisor Jaclyn Regina and EMT Heather Nicolas 

5 NEW COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES REPORTED IN MONROE TOWNSHIP 

OVER TWO-DAY PERIOD:  1 ON SATURDAY, 4 ON SUNDAY

2 IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND 3 COMMUNITY-WIDE

COVID-19 Cases received Saturday, May 16:  New positive case 1:  73, male

COVID-19 Cases received Sunday, May 17:  New positive cases 4

STATE AND NJDOH STATISTICS:  

• As of last night:3,509 residents hospitalized for COVID-19.
• NJ Field Medical Stations reported 40 patients.
• 334 new hospitalizations and 190 patients were discharged from the hospital yesterday.
• 1,053 patients in either critical or intensive care, 819 ventilators currently in use.
• 78% of ICU patients are on ventilators.
• The daily positivity rate for tests from May 14^thwas 12 percent.
• 527 LTC facilities with COVID-19 cases; 28,136 COVID-19 cases in these facilities.
• “The rate of new cases at our long-term care facilities has decreased. We’ve been working hard toward this,” said Governor Murphy.“While an out-sized proportion of our statewide COVID-19 deaths are related to our long-term care facilities, we also see the 7-day average showing a slowing rate.”
• The CDC has published new guidance on contact tracing, a key strategy to prevent further spread of COVID-19.Click here to review.

IT’S NATIONAL EMS WEEK:  Every day EMS workers save lives.  Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, their commitment has never wavered.  

“We are grateful for all the EMS providers who put their lives at risk to save ours,” said Governor Murphy.  “Our emergency responders are serving on the front lines of COVID-19, making the difference between life and death. No one better represents the resiliency of New Jersey. We cannot thank them enough.”  

“In Monroe, we are blessed with the best Emergency Medical Services staff members around,” said Mayor Tamburro.  “I would like to sincerely thank each and every member of our EMS team for their unwavering service to our community.  We all owe a debt of gratitude for the hard work, dedication and care exemplified by theses outstanding civil servants. Thank you for all you do – day in and day out – but especially during these times when we need you most.”

NJ REVEALS MULTI-STAGE CORONAVIRUS REOPENING PLAN:  Governor Murphy today outlined a multi-stage reopening plan in New Jersey and said the state has entered “Stage 1,” though no timeline for future stages was included. Murphy said “Stage 1″ allows for relaxed restrictions on low-risk activities, like enjoying parks, beaches and lakefronts, but calls for residents to “stay at home as much as possible.” The five-stage plan includes “Stage 0” when the maximum restrictions were in place and a final stage he referred to as a “new normal” when a vaccine is widely available.  The next phase, “Stage 2,” will call for a “broader restart of our economy" and allows for “moderate-risk activities restarted with safeguarding.” Stage 2 will also allow restaurants to provide outdoor dining and certain limited personal care businesses to reopen. While Murphy did not provide any dates of when the state will transition to each stage, he said “Stage 2” could possibly come in the “coming weeks.”  Read the full NJ.com article here.

NEED ASSISTANCE?  Find out if you’re eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA) and health insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid) without leaving your home. Click hereto see if you’re eligible and apply.