2 Ridgewood Residents Tests Positive For Coronavirus

RIDGEWOOD – Two residents tested positive for the new coronavirus, officials announced.

Mayor Ramon Hache said the village has declared a state of emergency, and that there are five confirmed cases of the coronavirus at Valley Hospital. Two of them are Ridgewood residents.

"While the confirmation of these cases is of great concern, this is not the time to panic. This is the time to work together to contain and prevent the spread of the virus. I urge you to please exercise appropriate social distancing measures," he said.

Here is the rest of his statement:

This is Mayor Ramon Hache. The Village of Ridgewood has been continually working with public agencies including the Department of Health, Bergen County Executive and the Office of Emergency Management.
In the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents and other persons within the Village of Ridgewood, it has been determined that certain measures must be taken to insure that the authorities will be unhampered in their efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. Effective immediately, and until further notice, a State of Emergency has been declared within the Village of Ridgewood.
1. Ridgewood Village Hall, The Stable, and all Village offices will be closed to the public. The Police desk, will remain open to the public.
2. All public and Board of Education recreational fields, all school grounds, all tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, and playgrounds within the Village of Ridgewood are closed, and all organized sports activities within all municipal and Board of Education parks/fields, as well as recreational activities run by the Village of Ridgewood or Board of Education are hereby postponed until further notice.
3. All public meetings of non-essential municipal boards and committees are suspended. The Village Council, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment will continue to meet but will discourage in-person attendance by members of the public but viewing and public comments may be done remotely.
4. All places of public gatherings shall limit attendance at any event or gathering to 250 or fewer persons.
5. All residents are encouraged to stay within their own properties, avoid large groups and maintain “social distancing” in accordance with CDC guidance.
6. All workplaces within the Village are strongly encouraged to implement and observe CDC workplace social distancing measures, such as replacing in-person meetings with teleworking, modifying, postponing or canceling mass gatherings.
7. All places of public gathering hosting 50 or more persons are strongly urged to use their best efforts to record the name, address, phone or other appropriate contact information of all employees, patrons, visitors, vendors or any other persons within their facilities in order to aid health officials in the event contact tracing activities should become necessary in connection with their operations.
8. All restaurants and bars are urged to encourage take-out and curbside delivery in lieu of in-restaurant dining, and to reduce seating capacity to increase space between groups of patrons to assist in “social distancing” in accordance with CDC guidelines, by maintaining a distance of 6 feet between groups of diners and patrons.
Please understand this is an effort to keep our residents and families. As the situation progresses, there may be additional provisions added to the declaration. We must remain calm and vigilant during this time and we must all work together to keep each other safe.
Please visit the Village Website at ridgewoodnj.net. Details will be posted on the main page.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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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
• Schools and colleges across the state continued to cancel classes, move classes online and prepare for an outbreak that could get worse. Read more: Coronavirus NJ School Closures: Here's The Latest (UPDATE)
• Murphy has declared a state of emergency, which allows his administration to expand its powers to treat the illness. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency Because Of Coronavirus
• 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
• State health officials have issued a long list of coronavirus outbreak guidelines for New Jersey schools and colleges now that the number of cases continues to climb in the United States and across the Garden State. Read more: NJ Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines For Schools, Colleges (UPDATE)
• 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
• The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission also extended expiration dates for driver licenses, registrations and inspection stickers. Read more: NJ Driver's License Changes Because Of Coronavirus Outbreak
• Murphy recommended on Thursday, March 12 that gatherings of 250 people or more should be canceled. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Should Cancel Large Gatherings Due To Coronavirus
• Hospitals also issued additional restrictions to visitors. Read more: New Hospital Restrictions In NJ Coronavirus Outbreak
• Compiled by Johns Hopkins University, this interactive map lets you track confirmed coronavirus cases in real time. Read more: Coronavirus Tracker: Latest Numbers In New Jersey
• Bayer has closed their Morristown and Whippany locations until further notice. Read more: Pharmaceutical Giant Closes NJ Offices Amidst Coronavirus Concern
• PSE&G is giving financially struggling customers a break in "the interest of protecting public health." Read more: PSEG Stops Gas, Electric Shut-Offs As NJ Copes With 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.