Mahwah Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know

MAHWAH — The coronavirus outbreak continues to have an impact on communities in New Jersey and across the nation. Mahwah is no exception, as many businesses and schools remain closed.

Here are the latest updates from Mahwah:

Cases:

• As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, Bergen County has 17,150 positive cases of the coronavirus. 1,409 have died.
• 63 long-term care facilities in Bergen County have reported outbreaks. As of Friday, 802 long-term care residents have died, and 4,059 cases from long-term care facilities have been reported.
• Mahwah has reported 254 cases as of Tuesday, May 12.

Parks:

• Municipal parks in Mahwah are open as of May 2 for passive recreation, which includes activities such as jogging, walking, hiking, birding and biking.
• Parking is limited to 50 percent of the maximum capacity and social distancing must be observed.

Schools:

• Mahwah schools are currently planning for graduation, but have cancelled some end-of-year events. No decision has been made on senior prom. Read more: Mahwah Plans For Graduation, Cancels Events: Superintendent
• Bergen Community College announced that the 2020 commencement ceremony will no longer be held at MetLife Stadium, but will be available to stream on YouTube. Senator Cory Booker will give the commencement address. Read more: NJ Senator Cory Booker Will Provide Bergen CC Keynote Address

Personal Stories:

• Mahwah's Thunderbird Run 2020 was cancelled because of the coronavirus, but that didn't stop one teacher from achieving his goals. Read more: Ahead Of The Pack: Bergen County Teacher's Jog Makes Headlines
• Mahwah students used this time of virtual learning to teach others, not in the classroom but in the kitchen. Read more: Home Cooking: Mahwah Students Share Quarantine Cooking Videos

Tributes:

• Patch has begun collecting stories of the heroes in your community that are making a difference in these uncertain times. Consider sharing a story about the people in your life making a difference. Read more: Mahwah Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference

Assistance:

• The Mahwah Council unanimously approved an extension on the tax grace period until June 1, following an executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy. Read more: Mahwah Council Unanimously Votes To Extend Tax Grace Period
• The Bergen Community College SGA donated 200 meals to front-line healthcare workers at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. Read more: Bergen Community College SGA Donates Meals To Valley Hospital

Businesses:

• We recently put out a call to local businesses hoping to update our readers on their status. We've compiled a list of those responses.
• Gov. Murphy announced he would reopen non-essential retail stores for online and phone ordering and curbside pickup, and will also allow non-essential construction to begin as of 6 a.m. on Monday, May 18. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy To Reopen More NJ Businesses Amid Coronavirus

Hospitals and Testing:

• Bergen County now offers drive-thru testing at Bergen Community College for any New Jersey resident with coronavirus symptoms of COVID-19. Tests are given first come, first serve from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• Passaic County also offers drive-thru testing.
• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID-19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID-19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info and schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.
• Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is now offering saliva tests for COVID-19 patients. Read more: Bergen New Bridge Medical Center To Offer COVID-19 Saliva Tests

How It Spreads:

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.