Monmouth County Health Department Newsletter: September-October 2020

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monmouth county health department

September-October 2020

The Monmouth County Health Department Welcomes the Borough of Red Bank

The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) is pleased to welcome Red Bank to the MCHD system.  Red Bank becomes the 29th member town with the Monmouth County Board of Health!  Borough residents have full access to the wide array of services our Department provides.  Please feel free to visit our Directory of Services for details.


Testing for Covid-19

The Monmouth County Freeholders, MCHD and the Grunin Foundation have partnered to bring FREE COVID TESTING to your community.  The MCHD has provided 2,282 Covid-19 tests to the public as of August 31, 2020. No appointment is necessary; simply walk up during the times listed and a health professional will conduct the test. Click the link for a listing of test locations

 

Remember to “Stop the Spread “ using these simple strategies:  Wash your hands often, wear a mask, cover your coughs and sneezes and keep 6 feet of distance between you and others.  Additional information is available on the MCHD Main Page or at cdc.gov/coronavirus.


Returning to school during Covid-19

For many families, back to school planning will look different this year than it has in previous years. Your school will have new policies in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may also be starting the school year with virtual learning components.  Some of the changes in schools’ classroom attendance or structure may include:

  • Cohorts: Dividing students and teachers into distinct groups that stay together throughout an entire school day during in-person classroom instruction. Schools may allow minimal or no interaction between cohorts (also sometimes referred to as pods).
  • Hybrid: A mix of virtual learning and in-class learning. Hybrid options can apply a cohort approach to the in-class education provided.
  • Virtual/at-home only: Students and teachers engage in virtual-only classes, activities, and events.

Whatever the situation, these checklists are intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers, plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.


School Immunization Requirements during Covid-19

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) will not waive the vaccine requirements nor will there be any extensions for the upcoming school year. Students will be expected to comply with all vaccine requirements prior to attending virtually or in-person at a New Jersey child care/preschool and school. New Jersey still allows for medical and religious exemptions when applicable.

 

The value of immunizations is even more evident during this pandemic. Receiving timely immunizations and ensuring compliance with New Jersey school immunization requirements is key to reducing the potential for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

 

Monmouth County Mosquito Control

 

The onset of cooler weather does not mean that mosquito season is over.  Mosquitoes can remain active until the first frost. Take precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, limit time outdoors when and where mosquitoes are biting, especially at dawn and dusk; wear long sleeves and long pants and consider treating clothing with Permithrin. 

 

Use this checklist to help you find and eliminate all the places that mosquitoes breed around your home.
Mosquito habitat checklist.

 


MCHD "Greener Blue" Pumpout Boat (POB) Update

As of August 30, 2020, the “Greener Blue” completed two (2) full months of operation. The following operational totals have been reported by the POB Captain:

  • 531 Boats Served in the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers.
  • 12,900 Gallons of sewerage was collected over this period of time.

Weather permitting, the Greener Blue is planning to continue to offer its services through Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.


Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) and Water Quality

Throughout the summer bathing season and as of September 8th, 2020 (the day after Labor Day,) the MCHD has collected 802 samples of guarded beaches in Monmouth County.  As some beaches intend to remain open after Labor Day this year, the sampling program will continue through the end of September.  There were no beach closures this summer and the water quality has been exceptional.

 

In addition to the excellent water quality of our beaches, there have been no Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) in our coastal lakes reported to date.


Did you know?

The Monmouth County Health Department samples 47 ocean water bathing sites over 30 miles of coastline weekly during the summer season. https://www.njbeaches.org/

Board of Health Members

Brian Charnick, Acting President 
Ellynn Kahle
Ross Licitra
Andrew Wardell

 

Freeholder Deputy Director
Susan M. Kiley, Liaison 


Christopher P. Merkel M.P.H., H.O.

Public Health Coordinator

Board of Health Meetings

Board of Health Meetings are held virtually. Go to www.visitmonmouth.com for more information.

 

Monmouth County Seal 2018