Flu Outbreak Closes New Milford Nursing Home To Visitors

NEW MILFORD, NJ — Woodcrest Health Care Center is closed to visitors following a flu outbreak there.

A relative of a patient informed Patch about the closing. A woman who answered the phone at the facility confirmed the visitor ban. Woodcrest Administrator Jessica Arroyo could not be reached for comment.

The health center provides long- and short-term care and rehabilitation services.

New Jersey had a staggering 2,582 new flu cases during the week of Jan. 20 through 27, the most since the flu season began on Oct. 7, according to the Department of Health. Since the season began, the state has had its highest number of emergency department visits in two years.

The total number of flu cases is nearly double what it was at this time last year: 7,332 in 2018 versus 4,228 in 2017, according to the DOH.

The virus was also found to be the cause of the state's first flu death — a 4-year-girl who lived in Central Jersey. The girl, who was not identified, died in December and was not vaccinated.

Additional reporting by Alexis Tarrazi, Patch staff

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(Lead image: A Walgreens employee holds a flu shot in Oakland, California in December 2014. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)