MORRIS COUNTY — Amidst novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures, Vitalant and other blood centers nationwide are urging healthy individuals to donate blood—and organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives—to ensure patients have the lifesaving blood they need.

Healthy people are strongly encouraged to make a blood donation appointment by calling 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) or clicking here.

Public health officials are enacting a number of measures to limit COVID-19—and Vitalant supports these initiatives. Blood centers have always required individuals to be in good health to donate blood, and the blood collection process follows policies established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the health and safety of donors and patients.

“Hospitals will be extremely challenged if COVID-19 infections increase. The last thing we want them worrying about is having enough blood for trauma victims and cancer patients. That’s why it’s imperative that healthy individuals donate blood at drives and blood donation sites now,” said Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Vitalant’s chief medical and scientific officer.

Representing all blood banks, the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism recently urged healthy individuals to make and keep donation appointments—and ensure blood drives continue.

Currently, all blood types and components are needed, with a significant need for platelets and type O blood donations. Platelets have a very short shelf life—only five days. Type O-negative blood is the universal blood type, frequently used in traumas that can help stabilize all patients. Vitalant strives to maintain a four-day supply of blood just to provide what patients need, and currently we’re at less than half that for many blood types.

In addition to barring non-healthy individuals from donating, Vitalant is alerting individuals not to donate if they have visited Mainland China, South Korea, Iran and Italy within 28 days, have had a COVID-19 infection, or been exposed to someone suspected of having a COVID-19 infection. Click here to view the most up-to-date donation eligibility information.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the risk of contracting COVID-19 is currently low,” Vassallo said. “Furthermore, due to the nature of the virus, it is highly unlikely that it can be transmitted through blood transfusions.”

The blood collection process is safe. In addition to the vigorous FDA-mandated testing of all blood components donated, Vitalant staff follow rigorous safety and disinfection protocols at its blood drives and donation centers. Finally, giving blood has no impact on the donor’s immune system.

“Sick hospital patients rely on blood donors—there is no other source for blood,” Vassallo said. “We need healthy individuals to donate blood, while following guidance from the CDC and other agencies.”

COVID-19 transmission occurs like the spread of the flu (influenza). And although there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, to reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Vitalant is closely monitoring the situation and will quickly implement any necessary changes as new information emerges from the CDC, FDA and AABB.

Vitalant (“Vye-TAL-ent”) is the nation’s second largest community blood service provider, supplying comprehensive transfusion medicine services for nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care partners for patients in need across 40 states. Vitalant inspires local communities to serve the needs of others and transform lives through the selfless act of donating blood. Every day, almost 5,000 blood donations are needed to meet the needs of people throughout the country, and Vitalant’s 800,000 donors supply 1.8 million donations a year. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers customers transfusion services, medical consulting, quality guidance, ongoing education, research and more. For more information and to schedule a donation, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Join the conversation about impacting the lives of others on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORRIS COUNTY — “The Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has made it imperative to design a plan and prepare for any number of outcomes associated with the developing pandemic”,  said Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi, Esq.  The actions below are designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and well-being of our employees, the business community and Morris County residents while continuing to provide essential services.

As the need arises, updates to this policy will be posted on Focus or by clicking here.

Effective immediately, the Morris County Clerk’s Office will be closed to the public as follows:

REGISTRY DEPARTMENT:

It is recommended that stakeholders who are impacted should forward all documents to be filed and recorded either by mail or by utilizing the Clerk’s automated e-filing system.  To participate in e-filing, please contact one of our e-filing (electronic) vendors below:

Simplifile @ 1-(800) 460-5647 or www.simplefile.com

CSC @ 1-(866) 652-0111 or www.cscglobal.com

ERX @ 1- (204) 887-7461 or www.erxsupport@conduent.com

All documents will be processed upon receipt as the law requires.  For further information please call (973) 285-6130.

PASSPORT DEPARTMENT:

Passport Department is suspending Tuesday evening hours and all walk-in processing of passports.  Passports will be processed by appointment only.  Please call (973) 285-6161 to schedule an appointment.  It is strongly recommended that unless it is urgent, residents postpone processing of passports.

VAULT DEPARTMENT:

Our Vault Department will be closed to the public.  Business users and members of the public may access all documents back to 1969 online.  Anyone needing a certified copy can request one by email or calling the Vault.  If you need assistance, please call (973) 285-6747.

ELECTION DEPARMENT:

Please contact the Election Department at (973) 285-6066 for further details.  We strongly urge all residents to Vote-by-Mail so as to avoid unnecessary exposure to COVID-19.  All forms can be found by clicking here.

WEDDINGS:

The County Clerk’s Office is suspending weddings until further notice.  For additional details, please call (973) 285-6120.

NOTARY DEPARTMENT:

Notary processing will be suspended until further notice.  New Notary applications and renewals  are available on-line by clicking here.  The Clerk’s Office will continue to swear in residents who have received the State of New Jersey Commission by appointment only.  Please call (973) 285-6122 to schedule an appointment to be sworn in.

ADULT ID CARDS, VETERAN ID CARDS AND GOLD STAR ID CARDS:

Issuing of the above ID cards are suspended until further notice.

OUTREACH AND ON THE ROAD PROGRAMS:

Outreach and On the Road Programs are suspended until further notice.

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey residents that have fallen behind on their utility bills won’t have worry about their electric or gas service being shut off in the coming weeks, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU).

The agreement which involves all public gas and electricity companies in New Jersey regulated by the state agency including, but not limited to, Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), Atlantic City Electric, New Jersey Natural Gas, Aqua Water, and New Jersey American Water, comes in response to the public health emergency and the effort currently underway in response to the COVID-19, coronavirus, pandemic.

“As community partners, New Jersey’s investor owned utilities understand the impact this is having on households and businesses. That is why we are suspending shutoffs to ensure that everyone can benefit from and enjoy the essential services utilities provide,” said Tom Churchelow, executive director of the New Jersey Utilities Association. “At times like this, it’s important that we all come together as companies and customers to take care of each other in our communities.”

“We are committed to that, and will continue to monitor the needs of customers,” added Churchelow.

“At a moment in time when protecting residents’ health and safety is of paramount importance, and especially when many are following guidance to practice ‘social distancing’ and spend more time at home, we must ensure that utility services are maintained to all residents,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, NJBPU President.

“Waiving utility service disconnects is a way we can look out for each other, ensure every resident’s well-being, and continue strengthening Governor Murphy’s vision of a stronger and fairer New Jersey. I thank the utilities for coming together with us today to help achieve exactly that,” Fiordaliso added.

If a ratepayer is unable to resolve an issue with their utility company, residents should contact NJBPU’s Customer Assistance team by filling out an online form or by calling the NJBPU at (800) 624-0241 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.