Middlesex County Preps For Coronavirus

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — On Tuesday, Middlesex County officials held a meeting in New Brunswick with the area's local hospitals to prepare Central Jersey for the likely spread of COVID-19, coronavirus.

The meeting was held with state Senator Joe Vitale, the Middlesex County Health and Safety office, Middlesex County College, Middlesex County Vocational Technical Schools, and local healthcare partners, including representatives from Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas Health, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System and Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

The plan is to prepare Middlesex County's 25 towns for the spread of the virus. On Monday, Rutgers University announced they are canceling all study abroad and spring break plans due to coronavirus, and are urging students and teachers currently overseas to return to the United States.

As of Wednesday morning, there are still no confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey.

“While COVID-19 has not yet been identified in New Jersey, we should all put into practice very basic precautions — the things we should be doing anyway this time of year to prevent the spread of the flu and colds," said Vitale.

To stay healthy, the CDC recommends things like frequent hand washing, the regular cleaning of high touch surfaces, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home from work when sick.

"I know it’s hard for parents to take off of work when our kids get sick, but let’s all be vigilant together. In doing so we will not only help to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 but the flu and other illnesses too,” said Vitale.

The World Health Organization announced Tuesday that coronavirus is more deadly than the flu, with a 3.4 percent global mortality rate, but does not spread as easily as the seasonal flu.

As of Monday: Rutgers Cancels All Study Abroad Due To Coronavirus Fears

“Hackensack Meridian Health continues to train our care team and follow the protocols established by the CDC here in Middlesex County,” said M. Todd Way, regional president, Hackensack Meridian Health Central Market. "We want the community to know they are our number one priority."

“Penn Medicine Princeton Health is prepared to care for any patients who are suspected of having or are diagnosed with COVID-19," said Steven Bergmann, chair of the department of medicine and senior vice president for medical affairs. "Our staff is well trained in caring for patients with infectious diseases and in infection control practices that would prevent the spread of the virus."

“We are grateful to be participating with our government and healthcare partners as we prepare for this situation," said Louis Sasso, corporate director of emergency management at RWJBarnabas Health. "It is an ongoing and very dynamic situation."

“At Saint Peter’s University Hospital, we are reviewing our preparedness for the COVID-19 on a daily basis," said Linda Carroll, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. "As a women and children’s hospital with over 5,000 births, we are prepared to care for laboring women who potentially may be a person under investigation for COVID-19. We have staged our induction suites to be negative pressure as well as the operating rooms in that area so that if a laboring woman requires a C-section or any type of general surgery, it can be performed in that space. We will also be restricting visitors for any patient that has tested positive. For the well-being of our patients, the hospital will provide them with iPads so that visitation with family members and friends can happen remotely."