Wayne Township Coronavirus: 690 Cases, 43 Deaths As Of Monday

WAYNE, NJ — In Wayne Township, 17 additional residents have tested positive for the new coronavirus, and two more people have died, Mayor Christopher Vergano said in a news conference Monday.

The total number of people diagnosed with the virus in the county is now 690, and the cumulative death toll is 43, he said.

Of the new cases, seven are men and 10 are women. The average age of the new patients is 57-years-old, and newly diagnosed patients range in age from 26- to 90-years-old.

Vergano said nine patients are being treated in area hospitals.

Vergano also shared some good news in the conference. He said a longtime Wayne Township fireman was released from the hospital over the weekend after a lengthy stay.

The mayor also officiated a social-distancing wedding over the weekend, he said.

"I want to congratulate Seth and Lauren," Vergano said. "I’m sure your wedding was not how you had planned it, outside in the parking lot of your grandparents’ driveway in order that they could watch from upstairs from a window."

Testing:

Drive-thru testing will continue Saturday at William Paterson University. Testing is provided from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Passaic County residents with a prescription from a doctor. The testing facility is closed on Sunday.

Donations and Volunteering:

• CASA of Passaic County is selling yard signs emblazoned with the phrase "Thank you to all the heroes among us." They can be purchased at passaiccountycasa.org.
• The drive-thru Passaic County testing facility at William Paterson University is in need of volunteers to complete a variety of duties. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to email volunteers@passaiccountynj.org.
• Residents can also help out by making a monetary donation to the WIN Food Pantry. Checks can be made out to the WIN Food Pantry and sent to PO Box 3341, Wayne.
• The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive in Wayne next month. Vergano said those hoping to donate blood must first pre-register online using the sponsor name "WayneYMCA" as the keyword.
• Donations can also be made to Flag of Greater Wayne through Venmo (@Flagofgreaterwayne) or Zelle at flagofgreaterwayne@gmail.com, or by mailing a check made out to Flag of Greater Wayne to the Mayors Office, 475 Valley Road, Wayne.

Taxes:

Vergano said quarterly taxes are still due May 1, but the interest and penalties will be waived until Friday, June 12 for those unable to make their payment on time. That's only for accounts owing $10,000 or less, he said.

Acts of Kindness:

On Thursday, Vergano reminded Wayne Township residents to extend gestures of thanks to essential workers.

“If you’re out and about, and you see someone who is still working and providing a necessary service for all of us — that could include the gentleman who picking up your recyclables to the store clerk that’s checking you out or stocking the shelves — it might be a nice idea to, from six feet away, say thank you for what you’re doing,” he said.

How the Virus 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