health

Dear Linden Residents:

We know you are concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19). As your Mayor, I want you to know that your safety is our top priority. We should also emphasize that while the coronavirus is concerning, the overall risk to the general public remains low.

The city of Linden has no confirmed cases of coronavirus. There is one known case in Union County and that person has been quarantined in a hospital. There were 6 new cases in NJ none of which are in our county. 80 NJ residents have been tested and 23 have been confirmed to have the virus.

For the safety of our residents, I have met with City Department heads, Police and Fire Departments, and the Linden School District leaders to make sure protocols for all are in place. To date, the following have been put in place:

• City Hall will continue to be cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis, putting importance on those common areas where our residents and visitors interact,
• The City will cancel events on a case by case basis,
• Police and Fire have protocols in place to protect their employees and the residents that they serve,
• The School District will need authorization from the Local Health Department to close schools,
• The School District has sent out emails to parents regarding the special training & deep cleaning process that has been implemented,
• Our School District already has protocols in place for the safety of the students and employees, and should they have to close they have procedures in place for distant learning, and also protocols for the students who are on free and reduced lunch,
• PAL has suspended Basketball for the season.

We are monitoring this situation and every day I am on a conference call with the County Manager, who speaks with the Governor, his staff and the State Dept of Health prior to the conference call with the county Mayors. Should anything new arise I will be sure to update you. Please don’t hesitate, should you have questions or concerns to call our Linden Department of Health at 908-474-8420. You can also call NJ Department of Health hotline at 1-800-222-1222 to ask questions about the Novel Coronavirus.

You can also get up to date information on the New Jersey Department of Health and the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention websites.

Please remember the Coronavirus spreads through contact with respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. You should be using the same prevention methods as you would to avoid a common cold or the flu. The best ways to protect yourself include:

• 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.
• Try to avoid touching your face.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home from school or work when you are sick.

Because it is still cold and flu season, doctors’ offices and urgent care centers continue to see a significant number of patients with symptoms like fever, cough and body aches. Right now, if you’re feeling ill, it is still much more likely to be a cold or the flu rather than the coronavirus. As with the flu, most people who get coronavirus only experience mild viral symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle pain or weakness, and fatigue, and will experience a complete recovery.

The Centers for Disease Control says those infected with the virus may experience fever, cough, and shortness of breath within two to 14 days of exposure. Residents who are concerned they’ve contracted the virus, should self-quarantine and immediately call their family physician, should your doctor not be able to be reached please call the NJ Coronavirus hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Mayor Derek Armstead