An Update from Representative Bill Pascrell on COVID-19
I want to ensure you have the latest information about the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This virus has touched each and every one of us. I grieve for all the lives lost and for those who are fighting tooth and nail to beat this nasty virus. Across New Jersey, we are hard at work making sure those who need a test are getting tested and that we have expanded hospital bed capacity to care for those in need. The coming weeks will be some of the hardest we have ever faced. I remain ready and willing to do everything I can for our state and communities.
Outlook in New Jersey
As of April 9, there are 51,027 confirmed cases and 1,700 deaths in our state, including 7,205 cases in New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District. While these statistics are tragic, New Jersey has taken swift action to protect its residents.
Governor Phil Murphy has issued a statewide stay-at-home order. You should not leave your home during this time unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must leave your home and will be around others (e.g. in a grocery store or pharmacy), you should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations by wearing a cloth face covering to protect yourself and others.
New Jersey has required nonessential businesses like casinos, movie theaters, gyms, hair salons, barber shops remain closed until further notice. Restaurants and bars are limited to take-out and delivery services only. Governor Murphy has also announced the closure of all state and county parks. Additionally, Governor Murphy has imposed aggressive mitigation requirements on essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies to ensure social distancing and hygienic standards are met. While these closures place heavy burdens on all of us, these unprecedented steps are absolutely necessary to safeguard the health of our communities.
With schools closed across our state, I called on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to grant a waiver to New Jersey to allow schools to continue feeding students in need through the Summer Food Service Program, and am glad to announce USDA granted that request.
With the support of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, Governor Murphy has been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to secure personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and set up field hospitals. As of April 9, New Jersey has received 290,056 N95 respirator masks, 689,980 surgical masks, 76,731 face shields, 113,935 surgical gowns, 591,270 medical gloves, and 1100 ventilators from the federal government and private sector to support the needs of our first responders, health care workers, and hospitals.
Additionally, on April 6 the state opened a field medical station with 250 beds at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, with additional sites to follow throughout the state. These pop-up sites will allow for more bed space to relieve overburdened hospitals nearby.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in the state, please visit the New Jersey COVID-19 information hub: covid19.nj.gov/
Resources
Two weeks ago, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The legislation provides new resources to help strained state and local governments as they combat this pandemic; support for hospitals and health care workers on the front lines of this public health crisis; funding to purchase personal protective equipment and much needed medical equipment; support for law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders; funding for scientists researching treatments and vaccines; support for small businesses; support for local schools and universities; and funding for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. Crucially, this legislation provides relief directly to impacted workers, families, and businesses in the form of immediate economic assistance and extended unemployment benefits.
We know very well that this measure alone is not enough to carry our nation through this brutal moment. In order to get critically needed aid to states and localities, I called on the Federal Reserve to provide immediate relief to struggling states and cities through purchases of municipal debt, and this week the Federal Reserve announced they would do just that. The House will keep working to provide further needed help because we’re all in this together.
Over the past several weeks, I have hosted a Telephone Town Hall with over 11,000 constituents on COVID-19, spoke with the Mayors of our district’s diverse 35 cities and towns, and held a discussion with hospital staff and health care providers, among many other conference and personal calls our office is conducting to ensure the needs of our constituents are met during this crisis. On the evening of April 7, I was joined by representatives from both the U.S. Small Business Administration and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in hosting a call with small business owners across our district to discuss the urgent needs of our neighborhood small businesses.
My office has prepared fact sheets to ensure workers, families, businesses, and health care providers know their options for relief:
- Hospitals and Health Care Providers Relief Fact Sheet (Spanish Translation)
- Individuals and Families Relief Fact Sheet (Spanish Translation)
- Small and Medium Sized Business Relief Fact Sheet (Spanish Translation)
Additionally, if you have recently lost health coverage due to job loss of yourself or a family member, you are eligible to enroll in quality, affordable health care through the Affordable Care Act. Go to healthcare.gov to enroll and learn more about qualifying life events that allow you to enroll outside of Open Enrollment.
Testing for COVID-19
If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, contact your primary care provider or make use of the following resources from the state:
- Use the COVID-19 Symptom Checker to determine whether you should seek testing or medical assistance: self.covid19.nj.gov/
- Call (General COVID-19 Questions): 2-1-1 (7am-11pm ET)
- Call (Clinical COVID-19 Questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
COVID-19 testing centers for those with symptoms of respiratory illness are open in all three counties in New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had planned to discontinue support for our federally supported testing sites on April 10. I joined the New Jersey Congressional Delegation and Governor Murphy in calling on FEMA to continue operate and support these sites, and FEMA announced continued support until at least 5/31.
Please read the following information carefully to ensure you're able to receive a test if needed:
- Bergen County: Bergen Community College
- Address: 400 Paramus Road (Paramus Campus - Lots B & C), Paramus, NJ 07652
- Hours: 8:00a-4:00p ET (or until daily test supplies run out). Will be open on Saturday (4/11), Tuesday (4/14), Thursday (4/16), and Friday (4/17) this week.
- What To Know: In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above), and shortness of breath.
- Bergen County: Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
- Address: 230 East Ridgewood Avenue Paramus, NJ 07652
- Hours: 8a-3p (or until daily test supplies run out).
- What To Know: This testing center is for Bergen County residents only. You must complete the online screening survey to see if you qualify and set up an appointment at: newbridgehealth.org/bergen-covid19-screening
- Passaic County: William Paterson University
- Address: 300 Pompton Road (Lot 6), Wayne, NJ 07470
- Hours: 9:00a-12:00p ET (or until daily test supplies run out)
- What To Know: The testing center is for Passaic county residents only. You must be showing symptoms or respiratory illness and have a prescription or referral from either your physician or an online medical provider.
- Hudson County: Hudson Regional Hospital
- Address: 55 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, NJ 07094
- Hours: 10a-5:00p ET (or until daily test supplies run out)
- What To Know: This testing center is for Hudson county residents only or first responders experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. You must call ahead of time to set up an appointment at 201-388-1097.
For more information on testing centers throughout the state, please visit the New Jersey testing informational page: covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/general-public/where-and-how-do-i-get-tested-for-covid-19-in-new-jersey-who-should-get-testing
Healthy Habits
The best way to minimize your risk of infection is practicing good hygiene and social distancing. Our state is taking aggressive steps that we have never seen before, including implementing a statewide stay-at-home order and having nonessential businesses close. If you are able, please do not go outside except if absolutely necessary.
I urge you to take care of your health and protect others with these healthy habits:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid shaking hands: fist-bump or elbow-bump instead.
- Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue out.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Stay home when you are sick and contact your health care provider immediately if you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Earned sick leave is the law in New Jersey.
- Avoid close contact with other individuals, including avoiding gatherings of over 10 people, and keeping 6 feet distance between yourselves.
- If you must go outside to a public setting, wear a cloth face covering. See guidance from CDC on how to make and wear face covering here.
Routine use of these measures can slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.
We are facing a global pandemic, and ensuring the safety of all families from COVID-19 and its impact on day-to-day life is my top priority. You can always reach me and my staff in Washington at 202-225-5751 or New Jersey at 973-523-5152 for assistance or further guidance. Remember, my door is always open to you. We are all in this together.
Sincerely,
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Bill Pascrell Jr.
Member of Congress