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Board of Health

What you need to know about coronoavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Given the rise of the Coronavirus [COVID 19] as a global health concern, we want to assure the community that our office is working closely with the Health Department, to ensure that residents are educated and prepared for the evolving situation. The following is a fact sheet with up-to-date information regarding this developing concern.

The New Jersey Department of Health hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 (if using out-of-state phone line) is for the public to ask questions about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

We would also like to remind all members of our community, there are everyday preventive actions that can be taken to help limit the spread of respiratory viruses; including the Coronavirus and flu.

Common measures the CDC recommends for the general public include:Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. (Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water is not available).

Free Screening & Immunization Programs

Seasonal Flu Shots

Register for a Seasonal Flu Shot by calling the Linden Board of Health. You need to register annually for this program. Linden Residents, 60 years and older, or those with chronic illnesses are eligible to receive a flu shot.

Health Screening Programs

Diabetic Screening programs, colo-rectal screening and various other screenings are held throughout the year. Please visit this site for important announcements.

Colo-Rectal Cancer Screening

Screening is recommended for those 50 and older. Free colo-rectal screening is available by utilizing the “FIT” test kit. Complete simple instructions and a mailer are included with this kit. Give us a call to obtain a kit.

Well Baby Clinics

The Linden Health Department offers free childhood immunizations for infants from newborn to age 5 years. Contact the Public Health Nurses at (908) 474-8420 for more information and/or to schedule an appointment.

Rabies Immunization Program

There are various times of years that free anti-rabies vaccinations are offered. Please watch the website News column on the home page for announcements. As a reminder for when your dog needs to be vaccinated, view information below.

2019 Annual Seasonal Influenza Immunization Program

The Linden Health Department is currently registering Linden residents for their Annual Seasonal Influenza Immunization program. While no definite clinic dates have been set, you should register to receive a “flu shot” by calling the Linden Board of Health Office at (908) 474-8409. Once registered, you will be notified of the seasonal flu clinic time and date. All  Linden residents age 60 and older and all Linden residents with chronic illnesses are encouraged to be vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza. Linden residents should call the Health Department at (908) 474-8409 between 10am and 4pm to register for a flu shot.

CDC Warning – Do Not Eat Romaine Lettuce

The CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak. This investigation is ongoing and the advice will be updated as more information is available.

  • Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick.
    ◦    This advice includes all types or uses of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and bags and boxes of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad.
    ◦    If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix contains romaine, do not eat it and throw it away
    ◦    Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine was stored. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.
     
  • Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing romaine.
     
  • Take action if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection:
    ◦    Talk to your healthcare provider.
    ◦    Write down what you ate in the week before you started to get sick.
    ◦    Report your illness to the health department.
    ◦    Assist public health investigators by answering questions about your illness.
     
  • Advice to Clinicians
     
  • Antibiotics are not recommended for patients with E. coli O157 infections. Antibiotics are also not recommended for patients in whom E.coli O157 infection is suspected, until diagnostic testing rules out this infection.
     
  • Some studies have shown that administering antibiotics to patients with E. coli O157 infections might increase their risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (a type of kidney failure), and the benefit of antibiotic treatment has not been clearly demonstrated.