NJ Coronavirus: What To Know As Cases Reported, Schools Close

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey's fourth case of the new coronavirus and the state's first school closures associated with the illness occurred simultaneously in a fast-moving chain of events on Friday and Saturday.

More than 100,000 cases of the disease have been reported worldwide, with 259 in the United States as of 4 p.m., according to Johns Hopkins.

The number of U.S. deaths from the virus rose by two to 14, with most of them from a single nursing home in the Seattle area. (Stay up-to-date with developments by signing up for Patch emails.)

The news connected to the virus, also known as COVID-19, rapidly developed as New Jersey schools announced closures because of exposure, or because they were taking precautions.

Here is the latest to know about coronavirus in New Jersey:

Hospitalized In NJ: CPAC Attendee Tested Positive for Coronavirus

An attendee of the Conservative Political Action Conference is recovering at a New Jersey hospital this weekend after testing positive for the new coronavirus.

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attended the National Harbor, Md. conference but neither had any interaction with the person, according to the American Conservative Union.

The person was the fourth presumptive positive case in New Jersey. Read more: 4th Presumptive Positive Case of Coronavirus In NJ

More NJ Coronavirus Cases Could Be Identified By Sunday

New Jersey officials may know by Sunday whether there are more presumptive cases of the new coronavirus in the state.

Indeed, New Jersey officials may know by Sunday whether there are more presumptive cases of the new coronavirus in the state. Specimens undergoing testing are from patients in Bergen, Mercer and Union counties, state officials said.

4th Presumptive Positive Case of Coronavirus In NJ

The state's fourth presumptive positive case of the new coronavirus was identified in New Jersey on Friday evening.

The Murphy administration said the individual, a man in his 50s, is hospitalized at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Bergen County. The individual has been hospitalized since Thursday.

The man apparently attended the Conservative Political Action Conference last month in Maryland, which President Trump also attended. Read more: Hospitalized In NJ: CPAC Attendee Tested Positive for Coronavirus

NJ Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines For Schools, Colleges (UPDATE)

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.

The New Jersey Department of Health said it is "working hard" to get ahead of an outbreak by developing guidance and education materials in the event that the new virus impacts the state's residents.

Cranford Schools Close March 16 To Take Coronavirus Precautions

The Cranford Schools will close on March 16 so that the district can make coronavirus preparations, according to a letter sent to parents by Superintendent Scott Rudin late Friday night.

While there hasn't been a health concern yet in the Cranford schools, they are closing to make preparations, such as designing lessons students can learn at home, and sanitizing the schools.

Morris Co. School District Cancels Class To Prep For Coronavirus

Anticipating the need to be creative with schooling with the encroachment of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, Mt. Olive School District Superintendent Dr. Robert R. Zywicki has closed the schools Monday.

According to Zywicki, Mt. Olive is not only following the CDC guidance but is following the Department of Education guidelines in order to prepare for what the district would do if there was a health related school closing.

First Possible School Closure In NJ Because Of Coronavirus Exposure

Officials say a private school in New Jersey has closed because of possible exposure to the new coronavirus.

The Frisch School in Paramus will be closed until Wednesday after 28 students were exposed to a New York person who was diagnosed as a confirmed case of the coronavirus, officials said.

The possible exposures may also stem from recent hockey games in Riverdale and students who attended a bat mitzvah at the Young Israel of New Rochelle, according to PIX11. They were advised to stay home from school and self-quarantine until Monday, the report said.

Congress Acts

President Donald Trump Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure that the U.S. Senate approved Thursday to tackle the outbreak. The money would pay for a multi-dimensional attack on the virus that is beginning to threaten major disruptions in the United States.

The measure gained near-unanimous support from Democrats and Republicans alike, passing by a vote of 96-1 in the Senate and 415-2 in the House.

In New Jersey, the bill got a vote of support from every member of the House and Senate, except Rep. Albio Sires of the 8th District, who did not vote on the legislation.

More Details In 2nd Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Case In NJ

More details were released regarding the second presumptive case of the new coronavirus that was identified in New Jersey, officials announced.

New Jersey officials announced the second case involving a woman in her 30s at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center as travel restrictions were announced for state employees. It was the second presumptive positive case in New Jersey, both of which were in Bergen County.

The Englewood woman, who had mild symptoms, had her specimen collected at Englewood Hospital and is isolating at home until the New Jersey Department of Health deems her medically cleared.

"Since learning about the widespread novel coronavirus last month, my administration has been actively engaged in implementing precautionary measures, as well as a comprehensive preparedness and rapid response plan to contain the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey," said Gov. Phil Murphy.

Officials Issue Update On First NJ Coronavirus Case

After a 32-year-old Fort Lee man was identified as New Jersey's first presumptive new coronavirus case, Bergen County officials issued more information surrounding the situation.

On Friday, Fort Lee sent out an alert for the community with additional details following an investigation into the case.

The borough's health department and state department of health has determined the man did not have any contact with anyone in Fort Lee while he was in town on Monday.

They also said the man, who has homes in New York City and Fort Lee, used a personal vehicle to get between his residences during the timeframe investigated and does not have school-aged children.

He remains hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center, they added.

20 Burlington County Residents Possibly Exposed To Coronavirus

Twenty Burlington County residents have been sequestered due to potential exposure to coronavirus, according to a spokesperson for the county.

All 20 had recently traveled to China or were on a cruise, and were required by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to be quarantined for 14 days, according to Burlington County Spokesman Nicholas Gangemi.

First Person Tested For Coronavirus In Ocean County Is Negative

The first test for the new coronavirus in Ocean County came back negative, according to the county health department. A Berkeley woman in her 60s was tested for the disease.

She was admitted to Community Medical Center for observation and has since been released in stable condition, the Ocean County Health Department announced Friday.

Morris Co. Officials Push Coronavirus Preparedness, Proactivity

Morris County officials are working to coordinate a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are asking that residents avoid rumors and practice common sense.

So far in New Jersey there are two cases of the virus, a man and a woman in their 30s. The first case is a 32-year-old Fort Lee man who has been hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center since Tuesday. The second case a woman in her 30s at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

The Morris County Office of Emergency Management and Office of Health Management, in coordination with officials in all 39 Morris County towns, school districts, and major healthcare providers, are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus.

The Morris County Board of Freeholders is closely monitoring the situation through regular updates and has authorized county funding for needs related to this issue.

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 close contact with people who are sick.
• 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.

Here's the latest on Coronavirus across America