Governor Cites Westfield Duo In Briefing

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, in her coronavirus update Friday night, noted that Gov. Murphy cited a local duo during his daily press conference that day.

"It was great to hear Governor Murphy recognize Westfield’s own Joe and Audrey Mindak today during his daily COVID-19 briefing," Brindle noted, "for their amazing pallet painting fundraiser that has donated over $7,000 to date to the We Love Local fund benefiting our small businesses. The Mindaks, like so many others in Westfield, are another amazing example of giving back to the community."

The Mindaks have raised $7,000 for the fund, which supports local independent businesses, by selling patriotic pallets. Check them out here.

Brindle also noted that the town has suffered 35 deaths of residents, 18 of which were associated with long term care facilities, or slightly more than half.

New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities, and have charged that the facilities are undercounting the numbers and not adequately protecting residents and staff. The state has faced questions for weeks from the press about how they will address the problems.

They announced plans last week to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes. A state website reported last week that 13 people have passed away of coronavirus at a long-term care facility in Westfield.

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You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.

HOSPITALIZATIONS

Brindle said that as of Friday, 243 Westfield residents had tested positive for the virus, with only one new case in the last five days. She said this "demonstrates that our social distancing efforts are working."

The cases in Westfield have ranged in age from 13 to 99, with 37 cases having required hospitalization, she said.

Statewide, 4,605 patients have been hospitalized, Brindle said, but the number was a decrease of 1,000 from the previous Friday. The number of patients reported in either critical or intensive care is 1,439, but is on the decline. "Long term care, however, continues to be an issue, with positive tests and deaths both increasing," Brindle noted.

To read other local Westfield coronavirus updates, click here.

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