Two-Thirds Of Cranford Coronavirus Victims Died In Nursing Homes

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Mayor Patrick Giblin reported on Wednesday night that a total of 27 Cranford residents have died from coronavirus, 18 of whom were in the town's "long term care" facilities, such as nursing homes or rehabilitation centers. "The remaining nine people lived in private residences," Giblin said.

The state has faced increasing pressure to release information to families about nursing home procedures and confirmed cases, as grieving families have complained that they weren't notified of an outbreak by their loved one's facility until it was too late. And some said they don't know what the facilities are doing to contain the virus before it infects their loved ones, pressing the state to offer up this information if private owners won't do it.

The neighboring town of Westfield has also lost a significant number of residents in nursing homes.

Mayor Giblin wrote on Wednesday, "We extend condolences to the families and friends of those who have died and we keep each of them, as well as those who are sick, in our thoughts and prayers. The Cranford community supports you during this very difficult time."

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said there had been 351 more deaths from coronavirus in New Jersey in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 3,156. The first deaths in the U.S. were reported just six weeks ago. MORE.

Giblin said, "New Jersey has not yet reached a plateau, which is not anticipated for 10 to 12 days, so it remains imperative that we stay home and continue social distancing in order to see any decline in new cases."

He said that as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, there were:

• 231 confirmed cases in Cranford (12 new), 27 fatalities
• 7,438 confirmed cases in Union County (208 new), 269 fatalities. Union County has the fourth highest number of confirmed cases in the state.
• 71,030 confirmed cases in the state (2,625 new); 3,156 fatalities since March 4.

Giblin also shared that the Township Commissioners met Tuesday night and took the following action:

• Authorized the appointment of five per diem Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to meet the growing demand and increased number of calls due to COVID-19. Currently, an ambulance and EMT team can be out of service for up to two hours because of long waits at the area hospital emergency rooms.
• Extended the sewer bill due date from May 1, 2020 to July 30, 2020.
• Waived the fee for paying the sewer and property taxes online.

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As of this past weekend, the Union County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Center has surpassed 7,000 tests to Union County residents, emergency responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities in New Jersey. The first responders and medical personnel have come from as far south as Cape May County and as far north as Sussex County. Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105. The drive-thru is currently serving Union County residents, but is also open to emergency personnel and medical workers from outside Union County. Testing is free.

Head to the Cranford town website for more updates and information. MORE.

Here are additional 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.

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