June 19, 2020 -  There is one additional confirmed case of COVID-19 in Washington Township to report.  There have been a total of 119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Washington Township through June 16, 2020.  Twelve deaths have been reported; 77 cases have been confirmed as released from isolation. 

The Governor announced yesterday retail businesses located in the interior of shopping malls are permitted to reopen to the public, as long as they comply with the requirements contained in Executive Order No. 122.  Restaurants within the interior of a retail shopping mall are restricted to offering takeout and delivery services, except that they may also provide in-person service at outdoor areas outside the shopping mall pursuant to Executive Order No. 150.

Yesterday I had a meeting with Principal Tim Rymer to discuss his plans for the WMCHS in-person graduation, the details of which will be provided by the HS. I asked him to re-open the outdoor WMCHS athletic facilities for no contact, passive recreation on June 22 and I want to thank him, and the WMRHS superintendent for agreeing. 

As I have received recent inquiries, I am resharing the following information: the cases reported by the Health Department on the Township website and in my updates have been confirmed by the Washington Township Health Department, in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Health. Numbers reported on the Morris County website are subject to the limitations in their footnotes and the county only investigates cases for municipalities that contract with it.

Long Term Care facility statistics are available on the Long Term Care tab on the state COVID-19 dashboard at:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml

Please note the methodology for LTC statistics is different. Employees are included with residents in case totals and deaths may not be laboratory confirmed.

As a reminder, if you’re sick, call your healthcare provider. Call your doctor’s office or hospital FIRST before driving there. If you call 9-1-1 for a true emergency, please cover your face to protect yourself and our first responders. Follow CDC guidelines and stay home as much as possible:

• Wear a cloth mask at grocery stores, parks and golf courses and where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid handshakes. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hand).

• Get a flu shot to prevent the flu if you have not done so this season. 

Stay safe,

Mayor Matt