State lowers gathering limits as COVID-19 cases surge
Gov. Phil Murphy today announced that he will sign an executive order retightening restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, general indoor gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people; effective Monday, Nov. 23, general outdoor gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 150 people.
The governor said that indoor weddings, funerals, performances, religious services and political activities may continue under the existing rules – limited to 25 percent of a room’s capacity, up to 150 people. Also, the new restrictions do not affect the current 25 percent capacity limits on indoor dining, he said.
Indoor sports practices or games will be allowed to exceed the 10-person limit but only for people who are necessary for competition, such as players, coaches and referees. In most cases, where those necessary individuals exceed 10 people, spectators will not be permitted, the governor said. For outdoor sports practices and games, the new 150-person limit will include players, coaches, team personnel, officials and spectators.
There is no limit on outdoor gatherings for religious and political activities protected under the First Amendment, he said.
The governor stressed that even outdoor gatherings remain subject to social-distancing restrictions, and that people must wear a face mask when social distancing isn’t possible.
“Right now, with the numbers we are seeing, we have to take these steps to preserve and protect public health -- as best we can – to try to slow the spread of the virus,” Gov. Murphy said.
He said the statewide number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the state Department of Health on Saturday (4,395) and Sunday (4,540) were the first- and second-highest daily counts recorded since the pandemic hit New Jersey in early March. The statewide total of new daily cases reported over just the past four days -- 14,566 -- represents 5 percent of the state’s cumulative total since the pandemic began, he said.
Mercer County offering free at-home testing for COVID-19
Mercer County residents 14 years or older, and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker in Mercer, can sign up to receive a free COVID-19 saliva test to be administered at home through a partnership between the County and Vault Health Services of New Jersey.
The saliva collection test for COVID-19 has the same effectiveness as the nasal swab test. It is not an antibody test, but rather is designed to determine if an individual is currently infected with COVID-19 and has the potential to infect others. This test is performed under the supervision of a Vault healthcare provider through a video telehealth visit, eliminating the risk of person-to-person exposure to the virus.
Individuals seeking a test should visit www.mercercares.org to register. You will be required to provide proof of residency or employment. After your eligibility is verified, you will receive a digital link to Vault’s webpage to request a county-funded test kit. The kit will be shipped overnight with instructions on how to schedule a Zoom telehealth meeting with a certified healthcare worker who will virtually instruct you about how to properly collect a saliva sample for shipment to the Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory for testing. Test results are expected to be returned within 72 hours. If your test is positive, or if you have symptoms, call your health care professional. Any questions can be directed to HomeTesting@mercercounty.org.
When registering, individuals will be asked to provide their health insurance information, but a lack of insurance will not prevent someone from using at-home COVID-19 testing.
CURRENT STATUS
The New Jersey Department of Health on Nov. 16 announced 2,232 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the state to 281,493; and 14 additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 14,779 confirmed deaths and 1,801 probable deaths. Mercer County's 138 new positive cases bring its cumulative total to 11,200, with 611 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 36 probable deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard for more statewide information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Nov. 16 announced 138,025 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the United States to 10,984,398; and 660 additional deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 245,470 with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting.
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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: (general COVID-19 questions) 2-1-1 (24/7)
Call: (medical COVID-19 questions) 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts
Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ or nj.gov/health for additional information
PREVENTION AND SYMPTOMS
How COVID-19 spreads:
COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly by the following routes:
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks.
People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others.
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To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
• Wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
• Practice social distancing -- stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. Symptoms can include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you believe you've been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. COVID-19 Symptom Checker
JOBS AND HIRING
Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? The State of New Jersey has created a resource page to help you connect to benefits and resources you need while you are trying to safely get back to work, as well as some tips for coping with the stress of losing a job: covid19.nj.gov/work. In addition, Mercer County’s One-Stop Career Center has posted a list of employment opportunities.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
For information on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus and its impact on businesses – including resources, assistance and regulations -- visit the State of New Jersey business portal and the Mercer County Office of Economic Development’s COVID-19 Business Resources page.
COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's MentalHealthCares Helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517). Listing of additional resources.
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