Bergen Has Among Largest 2-Day Jumps In Coronvirus Deaths

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Tuesday was Bergen County's deadliest day since the beginning of the new coronavirus crisis, County Executive Jim Tedesco announced in a Facebook post.

As of Tuesday night, 59 deaths were reported in Bergen County, and 434 new presumptive cases of the virus has been confirmed, Tedesco said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, at the time of publishing, the New Jersey Department of Health reported another 51 deaths in Bergen County, bringing the total to 314 deaths to date. The total number of cases in the county has now reached 7,874.

Tedesco said cases of COVID-19 have appeared in all 70 municipalities in Bergen County. The current numbers of cases for each municipality were not available as of Wednesday afternon.

"Together we mourn the loss of our Bergen County family members and extend our deepest sympathies to their loved ones," Tedesco wrote.

Gov. Phil Murphy said in a news conference that Tuesday was the deadliest day not just for Bergen County, but also for the Garden State at large. New Jersey reported 275 deaths and 3,088 new cases of the virus statewide. Read more: Gov. Murphy: New NJ Restrictions As 275 More Die Of Coronavirus

In the conference, Murphy rolled out new restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

The governor's new order requires all employees and customers of essential stores to wear face masks or coverings, and all stores are now required to limit the number of customers inside to 50 percent of their approved capacity.

Murphy is also requiring all stores to offer special shopping hours for high-risk groups and to build physical barriers between cashiers and baggers.

Murphy also ordered all non-essential construction to cease at 8 p.m. Friday. The exceptions would be hospitals, schools, transportation, utilities and affordable housing, he said.

HOSPITALS AND TESTING:

• Bergen County now offers drive-thru testing for Bergen County residents with coronavirus symptoms and a prescription from a doctor at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus.
• Passaic County also offers drive-thru testing at William Paterson University.
• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info & schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.

MAKING DONATIONS:

Bergen County is taking donations of personal protective equipment. Donations can be made:

• Bergen County Annex Building
  • 220 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus
  • Located behind Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, off of Pascack Road/Ridgewood Avenue
  • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• 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
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy also has announced the launch of a new online portal to connect New Jersey residents with jobs in critical industries responding to COVID-19. Read more: Companies ARE Hiring: NJ Launches Online Job Portal
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• Murphy has emphasized the need to wear a mask or face covering when going out in public. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak
• Local police also have been cracking down on gatherings of people in certain towns. Read more: Police Identify Rumson Man Who They Say Hosted Pink Floyd Party
• New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand. Read more: Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In NJ
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of NJ businesses – including gun sellers – to operate in the coronavirus outbreak. What's open and closed now? Read more: What's Open, Closed? More NJ Business To Operate Amid Coronavirus

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.