Latest Westfield Coronavirus Updates

WESTFIELD, NJ — The coronavirus outbreak is having vast impacts in Westfield and statewide, causing continued closure of schools, parks, and some businesses.

The number of cases of the illness, also known as COVID-19, continue to rise and additional measures continue to be announced. The governor has declared a statewide stay-at-home order.

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As of Tuesday, there were 95 deaths due to coronavirus in Union County. By Thursday, the number had climbed to 145 deaths and 5,203 confirmed cases. Read more here.

In Westfield, Mayor Shelley Brindle announced Wednesday night that the town had lost a total of seven residents, including a 89-year-old woman and 88-year-old man in the last day. The news came on what Gov. Phil Murphy said was the state's deadliest day so far amid the pandemic, with 275 New Jerseyans passing away in 24 hours. Statewide, 1,504 people had died as of Wednesday. Read more.

"When people are losing their lives and leaving loved ones behind, small measures that pose a temporary inconvenience to the rest of us are surely tolerable," Brindle wrote Wednesday night. "It is these residents we’ve lost who I keep top of mind, along with the ill and the vulnerable, when making decisions."

Here are the latest local updates from Westfield:

SCHOOLS

Westfield public schools have been closed since March 16. Students are on spring break and will return to distance learning on Tuesday, April 14. MORE.

Gov. Phil Murphy has previously said that school closings will be revisited April 17. MORE. But this week, he extended the public health emergency and stay-at-home order through May 9, and said he is not sure graduation ceremonies will take place in June. MORE.

The Westfield public schools recently gave an update on how district learning is going, and shared ways that the staff and students are helping the public. MORE.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Westfield Patch is publishing a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses during the coronavirus shut downs. Dozens of submissions have come in. See the directory here: MORE.

Here is another story about how to help Westfield businesses and services. MORE

New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand: MORE

Here's what you need to know about applying for unemployment and other benefits during coronavirus. MORE.

HEALTH CARE

Union County has opened new testing centers. MORE.

Residents can call to find out about being tested. MORE.

PARKS

Because too many New Jersey residents have been heading to parks amid the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday that all state and county parks would close, including these parks in Westfield and other Union County towns.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle then closed down all municipal parks later that day, noting, "I am concerned that the closure of the county parks will result in further crowding of our own, making it extremely difficult to maintain and enforce appropriate social distancing."

She had previously announced closing down some recreational areas and parking lots.

Brindle said Wednesday, "As a resident, a neighbor, and a parent, I am disappointed in having to make this hard yet necessary decision, especially during spring break week. But as mayor, my guiding principles in making any decision are those rooted in science, facts, and priorities that serve the well-being of the community."

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 93,000 people worldwide had died from the virus, up from 88,000 deaths worldwide the day before. In the U.S., 14,695 people had passed away as of Thursday.

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Here are additional 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

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

Got a local news tip or idea, or just want to reach out? Email caren.lissner@Patch.com. To keep up with local breaking news and get a free morning newsletter with local stories, sign up here.