Brick Testing Workers, Adding Coronavirus Gear For Police, EMTs

BRICK, NJ — As efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus continue, Brick Township has tightened access to the township's municipal buildings, testing employees before they are allowed access to the rest of the building.

"Any person entering (the building) will have their temperature taken by a member of the Brick Township Police EMS before being permitted entry," Mayor John Ducey said. The procedure will continue until further notice.

Along with those restrictions, police and EMTs have been training with new equipment and protective gear for handling patients suspected of having the coronavirus.

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Township businesses are being urged to adopt similar procedures for employees and customers.

"Every employee must be screened prior to entering the Municipal Building. We're doing our part, you do yours," police said in a Facebook post Monday.

The municipal building has been closed to the public since last week as part of efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

As of Monday afternoon, there were 2,844 positive tests for COVID-19 in New Jersey, and 27 people have died from it, according to the state health department.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

There have been 108 positive tests in Ocean County so far as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Ocean County Health Department. That includes 46 in Lakewood, 16 in Toms River, 11 in Jackson, five in Manchester, four in Brick, four in Lacey, four in Point Pleasant, three in Berkeley, three in Barnegat, three in Stafford, two in Little Egg Harbor, two in Long Beach Township and one each in Bay Head, Plumsted, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom and Surf City.

The Brick MUA has closed the access to the reservoir over concerns about crowds gathering there, Ducey said in his Facebook live on Monday.

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