Bernards Township Is Monitoring New Coronavirus

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — As news about the new worldwide health concern, the coronavirus, continues to spread the Bernards Township Health Department has issued a letter informing residents about it and what to do about it.

While "coronavirus" is a general term referring to a certain type of respiratory illnesses, a new (or novel) version has proven deadly, having already killed 106 people in China and afflicted 4,500.

Bernards Township Health Department — which is the contractual health agency serving Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Chester Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Borough, and Peapack and Gladstone Borough — said they are working with the New Jersey Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local hospitals, medical providers, and emergency medical service to coordinate a public health disease response.

"While the CDC considers the coronavirus 2019-nCoV to be a serious public health concern, based on current information, the immediate health risk from the 2019-nCoV to the American public is considered low at this time. Outbreaks of novel (new) virus infections among people are always a public health concern, but regular training prepares public health staff and partners to handle emerging disease outbreaks like the 2019-nCoV," according to the Bernards Township Health Department.

Recently, there was a possible case of the deadly virus in New Jersey, which turned out to be negative. (See Related: NJ Patient Tests Negative For Coronavirus)

"Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. There are several known coronaviruses that infect people, and these usually only cause mild respiratory diseases, such as the common cold. However, at least two previously identified coronaviruses have caused severe disease – severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Symptoms of the 2019-nCoV include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. There are currently no proven treatments or vaccines for this respiratory disease, so it is important to contact your doctor if you have traveled and are experiencing any of these symptoms," according to the Bernards Township Health Department.

Residents may experience similar symptoms to the coronavirus since it is cold and flu season. However, unless you have traveled to the affected areas in the world, there is little concern for exposure to 2019-nCoV, the health department said.

Residents are reminded to wash your hands often, stay away from people that appear ill, or have been ill and stay home if you are sick.

For more information, visit: bernardshealth.org. For other current coronavirus
information visit cdc.gov/coronavirus or nj.gov/health.

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