Princeton Woman Is Town's 1st Positive Case Of Coronavirus

PRINCETON, NJ — A 49-year-old Princeton resident is the municipality's first positive case of the new coronavirus, the Princeton Health Department (PHD) announced Friday.

The woman attended the same private party on Feb. 29 where two people from the Boston area were later tested and found to be positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) when they went back to Massachusetts. (See Related: Princeton Party Update: 3 More Test Positive For Coronavirus)

The New Jersey Department of Health’s Public Environmental Health Laboratory confirmed the positive test on Friday and the Princeton Health Department is still awaiting confirmatory results from the Center of Disease and Prevention Center.

The resident started feeling sick on March 3 and had attended two events after her symptoms began. The first event was a dance festival in Staten Island on March 7 and the second was a meeting at the Princeton Medical Center on March 9, said Princeton Health Officer Jeffrey C. Grosser.

"She has been isolating at home starting the evening of March 9. We have contacted the event coordinators for both locations to further identify any possible exposure," Grosser said.

Grosser said the health department found out about the party and potential exposure to coronavirus on March 9. There were 47 people found to be at the party of which 14 were Princeton residents, Grosser said.

All 14 Princeton residents have been contacted and nine of those are complaining of one or more symptoms and are being evaluated, Grosser said.

All 14 residents were told to self-quarantine and are being followed for the development of signs and symptoms.

With a presumed positive result, the health department is now empowered to impose stricter limits to the close contacts of this individual," Grosser said.

Grosser is urging residents to practice social distancing by avoiding non-essential travel, public events, community gatherings, and indoor venues.

"Everyone and every organization has to do their part to help slow the spread of this virus," Grosser said.

Individuals can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-2019 and other diseases by practicing basic infection control on a daily basis.

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
• Facemasks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and those directly caring for people who are sick and by people who are sick (source control).
• Get a flu immunization if you have not done so this season.

All Princeton Public Schools have since announced they will close through March 27 and implement a learning from home plan due to new coronavirus concerns. (See Related: Princeton Schools To Close For 2 Weeks, Start Alternate Plan)

All classes at Princeton University are being moved online and all students are being asked to leave campus by March 19 due to the new coronavirus concerns. (See Related: Coronavirus: Princeton University Moves All Classes Online)

Developments in the new coronavirus outbreak continue to unfold rapidly in New Jersey now that the number of cases has risen to 29, and one person has died. (See Related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know)

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