Maplewood Resident, 44, Dies of Coronavirus

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee announced in a nightly update that the city had lost its first resident to coronavirus. He could only say the person was "44 years young" and not give further information.

"I am saddened to inform you that we have lost a member of our community — 44 years young," he wrote. "On behalf of our Maplewood Township Committee, please join my colleagues and me in praying for the family at this time. I have spoken with the family and they are managing the best that they can under the circumstances."

Don't miss local and statewide news alerts when they are announced. Sign up for free Patch breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

While the numbers show that older people are more likely to be hospitalized, officials have said they are seeing more cases of young people who are seriously ill — and a baby in Illinois died from the virus this past week.

McGehee noted that there are now 49 cases in Maplewood. The Maplewood Public Health Division said that the city's two newest cases are 44 and 64 years of age. "The Public Health Division is investigating and obtaining the recent contact history for these two new cases, including contacting anyone who has potentially been exposed," he wrote.

He also announced resources for individuals with disabilities and their families. "Families with individuals that have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) rely on the assistance of teams of helpers (paid and unpaid) as well as established routines/schedules to help them navigate an inherently confusing world," he wrote. "Due to COVID-19, most of those aids and other supports are unavailable. As a result, we have created a disability-focused resource page to help. https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/covid19_resources Please visit or share with anyone in our community who may benefit."

On Monday afternoon, Gov. Phil Murphy said that 198 New Jersey residents have died from the disease, including eight who died at a Wanaque nursing home. More than 16,000 are confirmed to have tested positive.

He has stressed staying at home and social distancing as a way to slow the spread of the illness and avoid overwhelming hospitals.

Residents who have questions about coronavirus can call 211 or contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222.

Experts say that the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. COVID-19, the strain that emerged in China in late 2019, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

Got a news tip or just want to reach out? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.