MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County authorities are reporting a moderate increase in the rate of COVID-19 cases, consistent with a statewide uptick, citing a correlation with increased indoor gatherings prompted by cooler outdoor temperatures.

“New Jersey is seeing moderate increases in community spread of COVID-19 and the New Jersey Department of Health has indicated that it is anticipating a second wave. There has been an increase in a transmission associated with gatherings, especially gatherings held indoors,” said Morris County Health Officer Carlos Perez.

As the weather turns cooler, people need to be reminded that indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members, he explained. Additionally, as people plan for seasonal holidays and celebrations, they should limit the number of close relatives and friends in attendance and, if possible, plan parties outdoors around a fire pit or patio heater, according to Perez.

The slight rise in county numbers was first reported at a Morris County Board of Freeholders meeting last week by Scott DiGiralomo, Director of Morris County’s Department of Law and Public Safety. He said the county remains vigilant and poised to assist the community should there be any significant resurgence of the virus, which had its greatest impact on the county back in April.

The County Office of Health Management and local health departments continue to perform essential duties to prevent the spread of infections, including enhanced surveillance and contact tracing, which is the process of identifying and notifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19 to prevent further spread of the disease.

“It is important that persons instructed to quarantine and isolate by their local health department and/or healthcare provider do so to prevent the spread of infection,” said Perez.

Contact tracers, he said, will not ask for social security numbers, bank or credit card information, health insurance information, immigration status, or criminal history.
“They are only following up about potential exposure to COVID-19 cases, to determine if a person has symptoms and needs to self-isolate. Report any calls from persons identifying themselves as contact tracers and requesting such information to your local police department,” Perez said.

Health professionals emphasize that COVID-19 is preventable if individuals:
1. Wear a cloth face covering when in public (both indoors and outdoors).
2. Practice social distancing (maintain a 6-foot space between you and others).
3. Follow good respiratory hygiene recommendations.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or eyes with unclean hands.
6. Get a flu shot.
7. Stay home if you are sick and avoid sick people.
8. If you become ill, call your healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office or emergency department of a hospital.

Planning to travel during the upcoming holidays?
Remember: There are 38 states/territories on a state-issued travel advisory list, and the list is updated and changes regularly. Anyone leaving New Jersey to travel to a state/territory on the travel advisory list should quarantine for 14-days upon their return to the state.

More information is available at the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub click here.
Review and follow CDC travel advisories when planning travel abroad click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Assembly Homeland Security Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber that permits trained community volunteers to perform traffic duties in emergency situations.

“The coronavirus has sidelined thousands of police officers in New Jersey. At one point, one in 20 officers were unable to work either because they were quarantining or they contracted the virus,” said Webber (R-Morris). “In times of emergency, we need to empower trained volunteers to take over traffic duties while our men and women in blue are responding to more urgent calls for help.”

Webber’s bill would expand the scope of activities that can be performed by Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers to work under the authority of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management to include traffic control duties. Through the existing CERT program, volunteers are trained to provide emergency support such as assisting first responders, helping organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and staffing Emergency Operations Centers. During the state’s public health emergency, CERT members have also helped facilitate Covid-19 testing in their communities. CERT volunteers are part of the Citizen Corps Program formed by President George W. Bush following the events of September 11.

“I’m grateful that we have incredible and selfless first responders and community volunteers who have stepped up like never before during the pandemic,” said Webber. “This bill will prioritize public safety and benefit public servants.”

Prior to assuming any traffic duties during an emergency or disaster, a CERT volunteer would be required to pass a physical exam and complete a training course. CERT traffic officers would be appointed for a term of up to five years.

PARSIPPANY — Please be advised, the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is scheduled for  Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. Formal action may or not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken. Click here to download a copy of the proposed agenda.

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic Council Meetings will be held via web conferencing.  This program will allow the public to listen to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only.

Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to participate they must fill out the registration information using their real name and address, anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.

To join the meeting click here.

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement:

“We received news that our child care provider received a positive COVID-19 test. Luckily, everyone in our family has tested negative, however, we will be quarantining according to CDC guidelines.”