Latest Cranford Coronavirus Updates: Schools, Testing, More

CRANFORD, NJ — The coronavirus outbreak is still having vast impacts in Cranford and statewide. It's been six weeks since Gov. Phil Murphy had declared a statewide stay-at-home order on March 21. A slower spread of the disease means emergency rooms will be better able to treat patients, decreasing the death toll. Greater access to early testing will also mean earlier treatment, further decreasing the toll.

In Cranford, Mayor Patrick Giblin had good news in his daily update on Monday afternoon: there were no new deaths and no new cases reported in the previous 24 hours.

He said that in Union County, there were 158 new cases over the day before, for a total of 12,011 confirmed cases. There have been a total of 583 fatalities.

That number is about 10 percent of the total fatalities in New Jersey.

Statewide, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that the number of deaths in New Jersey linked to the virus had climbed to 6,044. He said over the last few days, the daily rate of new deaths had started to decline since hitting a record high on Tuesday of 379 new deaths in 24 hours.

That number on Tuesday, he said, was followed by 314 deaths reported Wednesday, 307 on Thursday, and 253 on Friday. READ MORE.

Here are some recent Cranford and countywide updates.

TESTING

• The Union County Covid-19 Drive Thru test center has new hours, as of Monday. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence. Testing is free.
• To find out more about testing in Union County, click here.

SCHOOLS

• Cranford schools have been closed since mid-March. On April 16, Gov. Phil Murphy said all schools in the state will be closed through at least May 15. READ MORE.
• On Monday, Murphy said it's possible they'll reopen by that date, but kids would wear masks. READ MORE.
• On April 14, after Spring Break ended, the schools instituted new distance learning procedures and grading policies. READ MORE.
• Gov. Phil Murphy said he is not sure graduation ceremonies will take place in June. MORE.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

• Cranford Patch has published a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses during the coronavirus shutdown. Dozens of submissions have come in. See the directory here.
• The Cranford Chamber of Commerce recently released a video, thanking those who shop local.
• Here's what you need to know about applying for unemployment and other benefits during coronavirus. MORE.
• Read more about coronavirus-related benefits, regulations, and programs for New Jersey small businesses and individuals here.

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PARKS

• Because too many New Jersey residents have been heading to parks amid the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the first week in April that all state and county parks would close.
• Several Union County parks have closed. Mayor Giblin also closed this local field.

GIVING AND GETTING HELP

• There are many Cranford resources for seniors, the needy, the hungry, and those who need help for an emergency. If you need help, contact town officials or browse resources via the town website.
• Mayor Patrick Giblin has posted information about where to get tested, about not feeling isolated during social isolation, about domestic violence, unemployment benefits, and more in each nightly newsletter. To read some of his nightly newsletters, click here or click here.
• Here is a story about the local branch of the Front Line Appreciation Group.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

Got a local news tip or idea, or just want to reach out? Email caren.lissner@Patch.com. To keep up with local breaking news and get a free morning newsletter with local stories, sign up here.