COVID-19 Updates from Mercer County

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Mercer County New Jersey COVID 19 Update

'REGISTER READY' A KEY RESOURCE IN EMERGENCIES

Brian Hughes

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes wants residents to be aware of “Register Ready,” New Jersey’s statewide Disability and Access and Functional Need (DAFN) registry.

This free, secure, voluntary database allows New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs, and their families, friends, caregivers and associates, an opportunity to provide  information to emergency response agencies so responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency.

“Arming emergency responders with this information could be lifesaving in a situation where every second counts,” Mr. Hughes said. “The information is confidential and will only be used for emergency response and planning.”

People are encouraged to register if they have a physical, developmental, cognitive or behavioral impairment, language barrier, or transportation challenge that may make it difficult for them to safely shelter in place or evacuate in a disaster.

Registrants will receive disaster preparedness information, assistance registering special needs and alerts for emergency situations. Go to: http://www.registerready.nj.gov; or telephone 2-1-1 (within New Jersey) or 877-652-1148 toll free (TTY/ TDD and translation services available).


COVID-19 Social Distancing

COVID-19 symptoms-cough

SYMPTOMS

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Call ahead to a health care professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread. Tell your health care professional about your recent travel or contact. Your health care professional will work with the State Health Department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

For more information on preventing the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html


Coronavirus -- cover coughs and sneezes

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Everyone can play a part in responding to this emerging, rapidly evolving public health threat. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine and taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs. This includes:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Practice social distancing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect recently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

More information from the CDC: How to Protect Yourself.


COVID-19

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which has now been detected in more than 140 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).


CDC monitor

CURRENT STATUS

The New Jersey Department of Health on March 19 announced 318 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 742, with nine deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 195; Mercer County has 20. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more information. 

The CDC on March 19 announced a total of 10,442 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 150 deaths, with 54 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases. 

The federal government has been working closely with state and local partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat. Unprecedented, aggressive efforts have been taken to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of this virus.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. CDC will continue to update the public as circumstances warrant.  For more information about COVID-19 visit www.mercercounty.org/covid-19.  


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Have general questions about COVID-19? -- The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the state to provide information to the public on COVID-19. Call 2-1-1 or call (24/7) 1-800-962-1253; or text NJCOVID to 898-211; or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for live text assistance; or visit nj.gov/health for additional information.

Coping with Stress. Stress and anxiety are real emotions during unsettling times. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health offer good advice on how to deal with heightened emotions. If you or someone you care about are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517). 

For handouts and posters on the coronavirus to share with your coworkers, family and friends, please visit the CDC at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html 

Information for Travel. At this time, the CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to China, Iran, most European countries, United Kingdom and Ireland, Malaysia and South Korea. Updated travel information specific to COVID-19 can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

We will present you with updated information as it becomes available to us at Mercer County, and we assure you that we will actively collaborate with our partners in health at the state and federal levels. 

Coronavirus Disease 2019