3 People Hospitalized In Montclair With Coronavirus (UPDATED)

MONTCLAIR, NJ — NOTE: This article has been updated with a Friday statement from the Montclair Health Department.

Authorities say three people in Montclair have been diagnosed with presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus known as COVID-19.

A 66-year-old Montclair woman was hospitalized at Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Hospital with a presumptive positive case of the new coronavirus, state health officials announced Thursday.

She was the first person to test presumptive positive for coronavirus in Montclair, according to the Montclair Health Department.

“The health department is following the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) protocols and guidelines and is in the process working on contact tracing,” officials said Thursday. “The Montclair Health Department understands the public’s concerns about COVID-19 and is working closely with the NJDOH and the CDC to monitor and respond to the situation.”

On Friday, two additional presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in Montclair were announced.

"A 77-year-old female and a 60-year-old male tested positive for COVID-19 on March 13," Montclair health officials said. "Both are being treated at Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside hospital."

At this point, the cases appear to be unrelated, Montclair health officials said.

Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency, and schools across the state have begun to cancel classes. READ MORE: NJ Coronavirus Updates (Here's What You Need To Know)

In general – depending on where they live – New Jersey residents still face a “low risk” of contracting COVID-19, State Epidemiologist Christina Tan said during a Wednesday press conference.

There have been more than 1,300 confirmed U.S. cases of the new coronavirus as of Thursday morning according to Johns Hopkins University, which said the disease also has killed 38 people nationwide.

• See related article: $8B To Fight Coronavirus; NJ Lawmakers Back Huge Spending Bill

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

VISITING POLICY CHANGES AT MOUNTAINSIDE

Hackensack Meridian Health announced changes to its visitor policies on Thursday. (Read the full statement)

According to hospital administrators, for the time being, there will be no visitors in Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals or nursing and rehabilitation facilities.

“The situation surrounding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) continues to evolve and changes occur rapidly,” administrators wrote. “Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is restricting visitation across all of its hospitals. This restriction takes effective Friday, March 13, 2020. Please know, the health and safety of our patients, their families, and team members remains a top priority for HMH.”

Visitation exceptions will be made in certain situations, including:

• Hospice
• Pediatric care
• Ambulatory Care/Same day surgery (one visitor)
• Maternity/Labor and delivery (one visitor)

Hospital administrators added:

“Once a visitor is approved, they will undergo a temperature screening. They will need to provide their contact information in the event that tracing becomes necessary. Phone and video calls to patients are welcome and encouraged. As a precautionary measure and to keep patients and team members safe, HMH is also asking its team members to self-monitor their temperature before they report to work. We take these proactive precautions to protect our patients, team members, and the communities we serve. We are sensitive to the separation this restriction causes our patients and their loved ones, but we believe this measure of protection is essential at this time to keep people safe.”

“We, along with the CDC, recommend that patients at risk for COVID-19 who are not yet showing symptoms or have mild symptoms be evaluated virtually before going to an urgent care facility, doctor’s office or emergency department,” administrators said.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

CORONAVIRUS NEWS IN ESSEX COUNTY

Catch up on some recent stories involving COVID-19 in Essex County. (Click headlines to read article)

Coronavirus? Nope, Allergies Diverted Newark-Bound Flight: Reports

A group of passengers panicked when they saw a fellow traveler coughing and sneezing. It turns out he just had allergies, reports say.

Montclair State University Moves Most Classes Online

Montclair State University officials are extending spring break and moving most classes online. There are no known cases of COVID-19 at MSU.

Coronavirus: NJIT Moves Classes Online, Limits Visits

NJIT administrators are encouraging students who live on campus to stay away until regular university operations resume.

Newark Police: False Alarms On Coronavirus Will Be Prosecuted

"Any false reporting of the coronavirus in our city will result in criminal prosecution," Newark's top cop said.

Coronavirus: 2 Big St. Patrick's Day Parades Canceled In Essex County

A pair of highly anticipated holiday parades in Essex County have been postponed. Organizers are planning to reschedule both events.

Feel Sick? Don't Come To NJ Devils Games For Now, Team Says

The New Jersey Devils hockey team is asking fans who feel sick to stay home, even if they don't show symptoms of coronavirus.

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