Manchester Police Officer, EMTs Exposed To Man With Coronavirus

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township police officer and EMTs are in self-quarantine after they were exposed to a township resident who has tested positive for the new coronavirus, township officials said Friday night.

A police officer and emergency medical technicians from the township's Emergency Medical Services unit answered a first aid call at the man's home on Monday and took the 72-year-old man to Ocean Medical Center for treatment, Manchester Mayor Kenneth Palmer and Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said in a joint news release.

The township was notified Friday that the man had tested positive for COVID-19, as state health officials announced an Ocean County resident had tested positive, they said. None of the employees are showing any signs or symptoms, but were placed on leave out of an abundance of caution, they said.

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COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. There were 50 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey as of Friday. One man, from Bergen County, has died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

In addition to the employees being put on leave, the work areas at the EMS and Police Building were professionally cleaned and decontaminated on Friday evening by a company specializing in such work. Cleaning and decontamination procedures for apparatus, equipment, common areas and works spaces have been in place and will continue, the news release said.

Officials also have suspended public access to all township-owned buildings starting Monday.

For residents needing to file police reports, starting Monday several officers will be available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take reports over the phone "for calls that do not require evidence to be collected, an on-scene investigation to be conducted, or otherwise require an officer to respond to the scene."

"The goal of this temporary procedure is to help cut down on unnecessary contact with individuals as a means of reducing in-person contact and mitigating the risks associated with person-to-person transmission of novel coronavirus," the release said.

"We feel that because our officers interact with many people throughout the day, having them unnecessarily interact with residents, many of which are considered 'vulnerable,' is a prudent and judicious approach to limiting a possible exposure," Palmer and Parker said.

Both the police department and township administration are committed to doing everything
possible to keep our residents and our personnel safe while meeting the public safety needs of the community.

The Manchester Police Department vestibule will remain open to reach the police communications division if necessary.

All other township-owned buildings will be closed to the public, however. The township offices will be staffed with personnel to answer questions and find other means to provide our residents with services. Residents can call 732-657-8121 with questions.

The township issued a "Save the Trip to Town Hall" guide that identifies services residents may need and how they can be accomplished without visiting Town Hall.

"We recognize that residents regularly visit municipal buildings, whether paying taxes or completing paperwork with the Municipal Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, attending court sessions, or interacting with police officers or the Records window.

"Based on all the available information, the next 30 to 45 days is critical in curtailing the spread of the virus. During this period, our goal is to ensure that Manchester Township is able to provide all of its services to our residents," Palmer said. He encouraged residents to use the mail, to call town hall or send and email during that time.

Tax, water/sewer payments; business licenses and registration applications; reoccupancy inspection requests; and construction permit payments may be made online through Manchester Township’s website: www.ManchesterTwp.com.

Police accident reports can be accessed through www.crashdocs.org.

Palmer said the township has a telecommuting plan for most employees to allow them to keep working and serving residents.

He also urged residents to sign up for Nixle alerts by texting 08759 to 888777.

"The health and wellbeing of our Manchester Township residents and employees is always our top priority, and this is especially true as we monitor the COVID-19 situation," Palmer said. "We urge all residents to stay informed through trustworthy information sources, to take simple but effective health precautions, and to check on their loved ones and neighbors. Before we know it, this too shall pass."

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