Cranford Updates Coronavirus Numbers, Notes Case In Remote School

CRANFORD, NJ — The town of Cranford provided an update Friday saying there had been four new coronavirus cases confirmed among residents since the day before, for a total of 632 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The town has had 98 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.

On Monday, the superintendent of schools noted that an "individual" (student or staffer) at Hillside Avenue School, a K-8 school, tested positive for COVID-19. However, the school already went remote on Nov. 5 for two weeks because other people had tested positive. The school will reopen this Thursday for on-site learning.

"Based on the timing of the case, the Township Health Department has advised that there are no close contacts to trace in the school, and furthermore, the case has to be the result of a non-school event," wrote Superintendent Scott Rubin.

On Tuesday, a mobile coronavirus testing site in Cranford, provided by Union County, reached capacity by noon and had to close. The walk-up site at the Orange Avenue pool was scheduled to administer free saliva tests from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The news came amid a rise in confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from the virus statewide.

Over the weekend, the state of New Jersey said it had confirmed the highest number of new cases since in April. On Sunday, the State of New Jersey reported 18 new fatalities since the day before, and a record high of 4,540 new cases, following 4,395 positive cases on Saturday. Before that, the highest one-day total was 4,391 on April 17.

Doctors have said that a number of factors are contributing to the drop in the death rate since spring, including people getting test results (and thus treatment) sooner, more protective equipment available in hospitals, and doctors becoming better able to treat the virus. However, the virus still can have long-term effects.

Here are some other recent local coronavirus and reopening updates:

SCHOOLS

In Cranford, the K-8 Hillside Avenue School recently went remote for two weeks, and at least four other schools have had recent coronavirus cases. Read more here.

HOW TO GET TESTED

• Union County has added mobile walk up test sites in addition to the testing site located at Kean University. Testing is free for Union County residents and is by appointment only with no car required; participants must wear masks and observe social distance. Any Union County resident can make an appointment for a test, whether they have symptoms. To pick a location, date and time, and to make an appointment online, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/walk-up.
• Union County residents who need to make an appointment by phone can call 908-518-4307 for assistance. Non-profit organizations and other community groups can call the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881 to request a visit from the Mobile Test Unit.

• To find out more, you can also contact your doctor, visit covid19.nj.gov/testing, or call 211.

NATIONAL TRENDS

• More than 238,000 people have died of coronavirus in the United States. The CDC predicts that 250,000 to 266,000 covid-19 deaths will be reported by Thanksgiving.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally. Others are simultaneously fighting misinformation and hoaxes as they try to fight the virus.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

• Recently, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said last month. The state announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1.
• New Jersey residents became alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities.
• The state released death toll statistics in spring for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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