Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program
The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) begins our weekly beach water quality sampling program the week of May 17. Forty-nine guarded beaches in the County's coastal region are monitored to assure safe levels of Enterococcus bacteria in coastal waters. Other potential hazards, such as medical waste and algae blooms, are also monitored during the course of the season to ensure public safety. In 2020, the MCHD collected over 1,000 bathing water samples. Sample results can be found at www.njbeaches.org.
National Nurses Week
As we all know, nurses have experienced a very difficult time dealing with the global Covid-19 Pandemic. This year, May 6 to May 12 was National Nurses Week. We are all fortunate to have nurses who do everything they can to protect the public and are sending them a heartfelt thank you!
Community Immunity
As we respond to the pandemic, vaccination initiatives continue. While Monmouth County has been in the forefront in providing vaccines to the public, (over 70,000 doses have been administered thus far) there is still much to be done stop the spread of Covid-19.
Local hospitals now have the Pfizer vaccine and are offering it to individuals who are 12 years of age and older. This includes youth camp staff, lifeguards, food service workers and anyone else who needs a vaccination for summer employment or for a return to school in the fall. In many instances, appointments are not necessary. Please follow the links below for more information
CentraState Healthcare System Hackensack Meridian Health
The purpose of contact tracing is to identify positive and exposed persons in order to break the chain of transmission and “Stop the Spread” of COVID-19. By working together we can strive to protect each other.
It's Never Too Late to Vaccinate
Covid vaccination has never been easier. Wait times and lines have decreased significantly since the beginning of the vaccination clinic campaign. MCHD encourages all residents to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. Walk-ins are now being accepted and no appointment is necessary at this time! Additional information and locations will be available on the MCHD Covid-19 webpage shortly.
Preventing Mosquito Bites
This year, take a stance and Fight the Bite! There are two different, but equally important, steps to help you from getting bitten by mosquitoes.
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Eliminate any standing water on your property. All mosquitoes use standing water to develop from the egg stage to the adult stage. Read the list of potential habitats for mosquito larvae.
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Use insect repellants when you are outdoors. Whenever outdoors, use a mosquito repellent on exposed skin having one of the following active ingredients: picaridin, DEET, IR-3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow product label directions.
If you have a mosquito problem, submit a request for service to the Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division at 732-542-3639 or online.
Greener Blue Pump Out Boat
 The 2021 season for the Greener Blue Pump Out Boat will begin Friday, May 21. We will also be operating on the Monday holidays of May 31, July 5 and September 6. We look forward to servicing you this summer!
Since 2015, the Greener Blue has been owned and maintained by the Monmouth County Health Department and operated by the NY/NJ Baykeeper organization through a cooperative agreement. It will be in service from through Saturday, October 9, on Fridays and Saturdays. The approximate hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Service is available in the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers. Service is also provided up to the Atlantic Highlands Marina on the Raritan Bay. Boaters can contact the Greener Blue by radio on VHF Channel 9, or by cell at 732-890-6142 on days the boat is operating. Additional information is available Here.
Our Heroes
The MCHD would like to take this closing moment to acknowledge the ongoing work and support of our many community partners who continue to make significant contributions to our collective effort to address Covid-19. While MCHD appreciates the increased awareness of the importance of Public Health, and the now ubiquitous “Heroes Work Here” signage outside hospitals and care facilities, (justifiably so) in all honesty we never considered ourselves as “Heroes.” We are simply continuing to do what we have trained for and dedicated our professional lives to. (Pictured: Kim Gaydos & Staff member Lauren Freda in honor of volunteer week.)
OUR heroes are the people and organizations that have stepped forward to work collectively with us to tirelessly address this ongoing pandemic.
So, with our sincere apologies for anyone who may have been inadvertently not included, and in no particular order, MCHD would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank:
Our MRC and municipal CERT Volunteers
Brookdale Community College
Monmouth University
Jersey Shore Meridian
Central Jersey Urgent Care
Parker Clinic `
Asbury Park Transportation
Keansburg Fire Dept
Neptune Township
Long Branch OEM
Freehold Fire Dept.
Neptune Township Senior Center
Pastor Porter, Pilgrim Baptist Church
Asbury Second Baptist Church
Integrated Medical Alliance Group
Dr. Chinnici
Bayshore Pharmacy
My InstaDoc
In addition to the many other Monmouth County Agencies that have played a vital role in our ongoing response.
Finally, thank you to the Monmouth County Commissioners and Administration for their ongoing support and invaluable assistance.
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 Deputy Director Sue Kiley recognizes MRC volunteers Pam Rossano,& Dr. Hal Orenstein
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