Mahwah Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know

MAHWAH, NJ — 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 Thursday, June 11, Bergen County has 18,719 positive cases of the coronavirus. 1,646 have died.
• 63 long-term care facilities in Bergen County have reported outbreaks. Resident cases have risen to 3,225 and staff cases have risen to 1,673. Resident deaths have risen to 921, and there have been 11 staff deaths.
• Mahwah has reported 263 cases as of Wednesday, June 10.

Recreation

• In a letter from the recreation director, the township announced that 2020 summer programs have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more: Mahwah Summer Camps Cancelled

Schools:

• Gov. Murphy will allow live graduations starting in July.
• 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
• Ramapo College took to the internet to celebrate 2020 graduates. Read more: Ramapo College Takes To Internet To Celebrate 2020 Grads
• Bergen Community College hosted a virtual graduation for the class of 2020. Read more: Watch Live: Bergen Community College Virtual Graduation

Personal Stories:

• This Mahwah P.E. teacher was featured on The Talk for his creative, quarantine-inspired activities. Read more: Mahwah P.E. Teacher's Remote Learning Game Featured On The Talk
• Jeff Rhode, Holy Name Medical Center's multimedia specialist, is capturing photos behind the scenes at the Bergen County hospital, including this moment. Read more: Photos Show A Holy Name Coronavirus Patient's Final Moments
• 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
• Honor your 2020 graduate with Patch! Read more: Salute Your 2020 Mahwah Grad On Patch With Photos, Messages

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
• The New Jersey Community FoodBank received donations from area Amazon delivery stations. Read more: Mahwah Amazon Delivery Station Donates To Community FoodBank

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
• Restaurants and bars can open for outdoor dining beginning June 15 at 6 a.m. Read more: Here's What To Do At NJ Bars, Restaurants Under Coronavirus Rules

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.