West Caldwell Sees 42 New COVID Cases; Mayor Offers Update

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — West Caldwell has seen 42 new cases of the coronavirus in the past week, according to Mayor Joe Tempesta, who offered residents a COVID-19 update via email on Thursday evening.

Tempesta wrote:

“Please be advised the West Caldwell Health Department has informed us as of Thursday, January 14, we currently have 42 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Caldwell’s general population since last week. Of the 42 new confirmed cases, 15 individuals are home quarantined and recovering and the other 27 individuals are already recovered. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have had a total of 426 cases, of which, we have had 14 citizens pass away in our general population. Thankfully, we have had 397 cases closed whereby those citizens are recovered and are no longer quarantined. We currently have one current COVID-19 case in the Assisted Living/Memory Care Unit of Cranes Mill. There are no current cases in Crane’s Mill Skilled Nursing Unit. There are also no current cases in the Hackensack Meridian Health WC Care Center.”

The case and fatality counts that Tempesta shared were different from the latest Essex County update, which put West Caldwell’s numbers at 646 cumulative cases and 50 deaths linked to the disease as of Thursday. However, officials across Essex County have repeatedly said state, county and local data may not match, since municipal health departments sometimes reassign places of residence as they conduct investigations.

Tempesta concluded his message with some reminders for West Caldwell residents.

“We encourage all of you to continue the practice of social distancing, wash your hands often, and wear masks whenever possible,” the mayor said. “House parties tend to be an incubator for the COVID-19 virus, and we are simply trying to remind all of you to be careful and try and limit house gatherings to under 10 people.”

Tempesta asked residents to thank local first responders and teachers, and to continue patronizing West Caldwell’s restaurants and stores.

Tempesta added that eligible residents can register for the COVID-19 vaccine through Essex County by visiting essexcovid.org or calling 973-877-8456. Residents can preregister for the vaccination through the State of New Jersey by visiting covidvaccine.nj.gov

• See related article: Here's How The Caldwells Can Get COVID-19 Vaccinations (UPDATED)
• See related article: Essex County Is Averaging 1,000 COVID Vaccinations Per Day

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