Morris Officials Push Protocol, Preparedness For Coronavirus

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ - As testing was done on a suspected coronavirus case in New Jersey, which was negative, the first death in the United States resulting from the coronavirus was reported and officials are asking that the public stay informed and prepared.

The Morris County Office of Health Management said it is keeping close watch on the Coronavirus situation in Asia and across the world, following the guidance of state and federal health agencies in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the virus, which was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, officials said.

Morris School District Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast asked for the public to show caution.

"While it is easy, and certainly unsettling, to envision a worst case scenario, it is crucial that we anchor our decisions and dialogue in evidence-based facts and confirmed information," he said in a letter to parents.

Pendergrast also noted the district has begun contingency planning in the event they are needed. The measures include:

• Centralized communication to families and staff via the District website, social media, and alert system (SwiftK12) to provide regular updates
• Appropriate disinfection of facilities and materials daily
• Virtual accommodations via school-issued chromebooks or other devices to enable instruction to continue close partnership with state and local health agencies and local government

The Morristown government also sent out an email referring residents to county and federal resources for information and preparation.

Deputy Mayor of Morris Township Jeff Grayze sent a letter to Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center requesting a community update on what preparations are being taken in the event of a local outbreak of coronavirus in Morris County.

"As with so many problems we face in New Jersey, being proactive is always better than being reactive,” said Grayzel. “The public needs to know what we are doing to ensure their safety if there is an outbreak of coronavirus in the community. As the regional medical center for Morris County, it is imperative that Morristown Medical Center is making preparations for a local outbreak."

Officials also note that CDC wants the public to know five facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

1. Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity.

People of Asian descent, including Chinese Americans, are not more likely to get COVID-19 than any other American. Help stop fear by letting people know that being of Asian descent does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.

2. The risk of getting COVID-19 in the U.S. is currently low.

Some people who have traveled to places where many people have gotten sick with COVID-19 may be monitored by health officials to protect their health and the health of other people in the community.

3. Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people.

For up-to-date information, visit CDC’s coronavirus disease situation summary page.

4. You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Seek medical advice if you have traveled to China in the past 14 days and feel sick. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms

5. There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

To keep abreast of latest developments, visit the health agency’s websites:

• CDC COVID-19 Webpage
• CDC COVID-19 Situation Summary
• CDC COVID-19: Share Facts, Not Fear
• NJ Department of Health’s COVID-19

The suspected case in New Jersey also comes days after Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, told reporters in a conference call the question is no longer if the coronavirus, now officially called COVID-19, will spread across the United States but when that will happen.

Communities, schools and businesses in New Jersey and elsewhere should begin preparing now for "the expectation that this could be bad," Messonnier said.

"I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming and that disruption to everyday life may be severe. But these are things that people need to start thinking about now," she said. "You should think about what you would do for child care if schools or day cares closed."

To date, no one in New Jersey has tested positive for COVID-19. But state officials say they're preparing for a spread of the disease across the region.

So far in New Jersey, the Department of Health says it has been focused on ramping up preparedness efforts and coordination with hospital and local health departments since the end of January. The Department of Health's crisis management meets daily to monitor "this evolving situation," officials said.

Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement on Saturday, saying he spoke with Vice President Pence to discuss New Jersey's ongoing efforts to guard against the spread of novel coronavirus.

The vice president praised New Jersey for taking aggressive and proactive measures to combat the public health threat and reiterated that the Trump Administration stands ready to support New Jersey's efforts in this fight, according to the governor's office.

Murphy thanked the vice president for maintaining an open line of communication and pledged to work closely with the White House, Coronavirus Task Force, and CDC to combat the virus and "keep all New Jerseyans safe and healthy."

At the time publication there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.