2 In Montclair Die Because Of Coronavirus: Officials

MONTCLAIR – Two people in Montclair have died because of the new coronavirus, officials announced on Thursday. The number of cases in town also increased to five.

The two fatalities involved a township resident and a resident of a long-term care facility. Both were inpatients at Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside hospital. Both had multiple chronic conditions, according to the Montclair Department of Health and Human Services .

Further information cannot be released while notifications to family members and close contacts are pending, the department said in a release.

The state Department of Health has not addressed individual cases other than saying 742 people in New Jersey were diagnosed with the coronavirus as of Thursday, and nine people have died.

The state health department said on Thursday that one of the deaths involved an Essex County man in his 60s. Seventeen new cases were reported in Essex on Thursday. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Also, a Board of Education employee who has tested positive is not a Montclair resident, the Montclair release said. Investigations are being conducted for individuals who have been determined to have been in close contact with this person, the release said.

The Montclair Health Department says it understands the public’s concerns about COVID-19 and is working closely with the NJDOH and the CDC to monitor and respond to the situation.

The Health Department reminds the public to practice proper hygiene:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and remember to throw the tissue into the trash
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Stay home if you are sick

Symptoms to monitor include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you experience any symptoms, please contact your medical care provider. This information may change with further notices from the NJDOH.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
• On Monday, March 16, state officials announced that a third person in New Jersey died because of the virus. Read more: 3rd Death In New Jersey Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy announced that he planned to shut down all schools on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's closing its offices for two weeks. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• The New Jersey Department of Corrections is temporarily suspending visits during the outbreak. Read more: NJDOC Suspends Visitations To State Prisons and Halfway Houses
• The state also said it will no longer label the positive tests as "presumptive positive" cases. They are now considered "positive" and "confirmed."
• State Police said they're also looking to locate two FEMA assistance centers – otherwise known as "pods" – where people can be tested. One will be at Bergen Community College in Paramus and the other will be located at the PNC Arts Center on the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing In Works For NJ
• Murphy said he's also mobilizing the National Guard to assist, providing services to help bridge "capability gaps," augment the police and local personnel in transportation and traffic control and support facilities such as hospitals that have hit capacity or run into medical and technology problems.

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• 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 frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.