Chatham Mayor Tests Positive For COVID-19

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Borough Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz revealed that he tested positive for the coronavirus during the mayor's report on Covid-19 during the Borough Council's regular meeting on Monday night.

Kobylarz, who joined the council meeting virtually, said he got the bug on Thursday and was likely infected by the latest BA.5 variant, an Omicron mutation.

"A doctor said I'd likely been infected by the latest BA.5 variant, which in his words, and I quote 'One of the worst versions of this virus we've seen so far.' That's because, apparently, it takes evasion of your built-up immunity to the next level, well beyond the earlier highly transmissible versions of Omicron," Kobylarz said.

Read more: More Masks Recommended In NJ As BA.5 COVID Threat Emerges

According to Kobylarz, who has received two vaccinations plus two boosters, the BA.5 variant appears to be the most highly transmissible form of Covid-19 yet, leaving even the most heavily vaccinated among us vulnerable to infection.

"My wife, who caught it last week as well, has received all four shots, plus was infected with an earlier version of Omicron back in December, unlike myself. So her immune system was truly primed and yet she still got it," Kobylarz said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, stay home for five days and until their symptoms resolve. The agency also recommends people wear masks around others for an additional five days after the isolation period ends.

"The first 48 hours were rough going with just about all of the classic flu-like symptoms, along with a very persistent splitting headache that a handful of ibuprofen could do absolutely nothing for… One thing I can tell you is that this was not fun, but I suspect I would be a whole lot worse without the four shots," Kobylarz said.

There have been 2,023 cases in Chatham Borough since the COVID-19 outbreak began, with 73 new cases reported in June, down from 174 the previous month, according to the council.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morris County is one of six in New Jersey with "High" COVID-19 community levels, with the rest remaining at low or medium risk.

As a result, residents of Morris County are advised to wear masks in public places, stay up to date on vaccinations, get tested if they have symptoms, and take extra precautions if they are at high risk of severe illness.

"My message here is plain. Please do yourselves a huge favor, make sure you're vaccinated and try as best you can to avoid this exceedingly nasty bug. This latest incarnation, this latest permutation is extremely nasty and not pleasant to suffer," Kobylarz said.