Two Summit Offices Go Remote Because Staffer Has Coronavirus

SUMMIT, NJ — The city of Summit said Tuesday that they have been notified that an individual working at City Hall has tested positive for COVID-19. Based on guidance from the Westfield Regional Health Department, they decided to close the Parking Services Agency Office and the Office of the Tax Collector for in-person business for 14 days.

No potential close contacts were identified in other offices or among members of the public. Health officials did not recommend closing any other city offices.

Business in these offices were to be conducted remotely by telephone and online beginning Tuesday and running through the day after Thanksgiving weekend, resuming in-person business on Dec. 1.

"These measures are being taken by the City of Summit to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission at City Hall," the city said. "While custodial teams thoroughly clean and disinfect the building each day to ensure the safest environment possible for members of the public and city staff, it is recommended that business be conducted by telephone or online if at all possible during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The offices can be reached this way:

Parking Services Agency: parking@cityofsummit.org, 908-522-5100

Office of the Tax Collector: taxcollector@cityofsummit.org, 908-277-6403

Go to https://www.cityofsummit.org for more information.

Here are some other recent local coronavirus updates, including testing information:

HOW TO GET TESTED

• Union County has added mobile walk up test sites in addition to the testing site located at Kean University. Testing is free for Union County residents and is by appointment only with no car required; participants must wear masks and observe social distance. Any Union County resident can make an appointment for a test, whether they have symptoms. To pick a location, date and time, and to make an appointment online, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/walk-up.
• Union County residents who need to make an appointment by phone can call 908-518-4307 for assistance. Non-profit organizations and other community groups can call the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881 to request a visit from the Mobile Test Unit.

• To find out more, you can also contact your doctor, visit covid19.nj.gov/testing, or call 211.

NATIONAL TRENDS

• More than 238,000 people have died of coronavirus in the United States. The CDC predicts that 250,000 to 266,000 covid-19 deaths will be reported by Thanksgiving.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally. Others are simultaneously fighting misinformation and hoaxes as they try to fight the virus.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

• Recently, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said last month. The state announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1.
• New Jersey residents became alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities.
• The state released death toll statistics in spring for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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