COVID-19 April 2020 Update
The Covid-19 Pandemic is a Public Health Emergency and Requires a Public Health Response
The current Covid-19 pandemic is a fluid and rapidly evolving event. As new information becomes available, recommendations and responses are implemented. The Monmouth County Health Department wants to assure residents that we are working around the clock during this unprecedented pandemic. Our number one priority is to ensure the health and safety of our residents in Monmouth County.
Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) is at the forefront of combating Covid-19 by providing essential services to protect the health of the residents of Monmouth County. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic MCHD has:
- Mobilized our Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to provide much needed additional manpower at the Covid-19 Hotline. The hotline (732-845-2070) is open from 9AM – 6PM Monday through Friday to assist residents and answer questions regarding the current outbreak. Disaster response crisis counselors are also available for consultation.
- Staffed the Emergency Operations Center and worked with the Office of Emergency Management in an organized county response across multiple county agencies while ensuring continuity of service.
- Initiated contact tracing of positive Covid-19 patients. Patients are contacted by our staff to identify close and at-risk of severe illness contacts, as well as patients who may have worked or been present in high risk environments such as health care facilities, schools or daycare facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters or community settings or events. MCHD has conducted over 1800 contact calls thus far.
- Trained, coordinated and deployed numerous volunteer nurses to assist in contact tracing and to provide manpower at the phone bank/hotline and added additional staff to facilitate data entry.
- Worked with our long term health care facilities to identify resident cases to prevent the additional spread of the virus throughout the facilities by providing guidance on isolation and disinfection.
 (MCHD workers prepare a shipment of PPE for
distribution to Long Term Health Care Facilities in Monmouth County)
MCHD continues to perform data analysis to identify trends and anticipate future cases and subsequent needs and response.
MCHD continues to provide essential daily services in the areas of septic and well construction, rabies and zoonosis/ animal control, retail food establishment emergencies, complaints and new construction, environmental and Haz-Mat incidents, non-Covid communicable diseases and other daily functions.
MCHD wishes to sincerely thank our MRC as well as the school nurses and other volunteers for their time, dedication and service.
In the News
Plasma Donations from Recovered COVID-19 Patients
In coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients.
Recreational Bathing
With the summer season on the horizon, recreational bathing facilities, pools, spas, ocean and lakefront bathing will remain closed due to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 107. All recreational bathing facilities are considered locations where large numbers of individuals may gather and will remain closed until such time as the order has been lifted or modified.
Serology Test for COVID-19
CDC is working to develop a new test to determine how much of the U.S. population has been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibody tests are not widely available at the time of this publication.
Saliva Test for Covid-19
A new COVID-19 test developed at Rutgers University that uses saliva samples instead of nasal and throat swabs has gotten emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration. These tests which could greatly increase the number of sample able to be processed daily are in trials at the time of this publication.
Executive order violations
Executive order violations are enforced by municipal police departments or may be reported directly to the State of NJ.
Executive Order Violations
Protective Equipment
Proper use of protective equipment is essential in protecting yourself.
How to wear a facemask (CDC)
Additional Links and Information
Hotlines
MCHD 732-845-2070
MC Office of Mental Health 732-431-7200
NJ Department of Health 1-800-962-1253
Long Term Health Care Hotline: 1-800-792-9770
Behavioral Health Services in Monmouth County
Education and Information Sites
CDC Fact Sheet
NJDOH
Monmouth County Health Department
Helpful Links
New Jersey Testing Sites for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness.
Covid-19 Testing sites
CDC guidance on running essential errands
Grocery Shopping, Take-Out, Banking, Getting Gas, and Doctor Visits
Health Care professionals who wish to volunteer their services.
Healthcare and Professional Call to Serve
Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire.
State of New Jersey COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal
Ways everyone can help our state respond to COVID-19 (donations, volunteering, etc.)
How you can help NJ
Essential workers can apply for the Emergency Child Care Assistance Program.
Emergency Child Care Assistance Program
Monmouth County has a list of things to do with your kids during the stay at home order.
Stay At Home Activities
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