UPDATED Westfield Coronavirus Info: Pool May Open June 27

WESTFIELD, NJ – In Westfield on Friday night, Mayor Shelley Brindle said the town had received reports of two more positive coronavirus cases since Tuesday, bringing the town's total to 281. On Tuesday, she had said that the town had only had five new confirmed cases in the previous two weeks, including one Tuesday and two Monday.

The last report of a Westfield resident passing away from the virus was on June 3, an 84-year-old woman associated with a long-term care facility. A total of 42 Westfield residents have passed away due to the virus.

On Friday night, Brindle said, regarding the town pool:

"In terms of Memorial Pool, we are very excited to open this summer, and are grateful to see the ongoing enthusiasm from the community as memberships continue to roll in each day. Registration is available online. The Recreation Department is hard at work making all of the necessary preparations to optimize safety and public health — including pool inspections, staff training, and of course all changes related to COVID-19, including newly required signage and other protocols.

"Due to these extensive preparations, we currently anticipate an opening date of June 27, which is subject to change and will be finalized in the next week. The finalized opening date, along with the details of all new policies, will be emailed to all members, and posted on our website and social media pages. Be sure to follow @WestfieldRecreation and @WestfieldMemorialPool for all of the latest information."

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Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy said pools can open this summer, at 50 percent capacity, and with other restrictions.

Westfield Municipal Pool summer hours and updates are on the town website: https://www.westfieldnj.gov/pool.

Murphy has said he will allow facilities and businesses to reopen in New Jersey in stages to monitor data and watch for a new spike in cases. At the peak of the virus' death rate on April 30, 460 New Jerseyans lost their lives to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes.

As of Monday, a total of 12,176 New Jersey residents had died of coronavirus in just three months, during a time at which people were starting to self-isolate.

Here are other recent Westfield and statewide coronavirus updates:

SCHOOLS

• Now that the governor is permitting large outdoor gatherings starting in July, the mayor and Westfield High School principal are discussing a graduation plan for July 7. READ MORE.
• Here are coronavirus updates from the Westfield School District.
• Day cares and camps can reopen, with restrictions, starting June. 15. READ MORE.
• Should special needs schools open back up? A local mom says yes. READ MORE.

TESTING

• The schedule for the Union County drive-through testing center has changed again. For more information, click here.

BUSINESS/JOBS

• The Downtown Westfield Corporation released its comprehensive reopening plan on Tuesday.
• The town will cordon off Quimby Street on weekends for outdoor dining, music, exercise, and more. READ MORE
• Patch has started an ongoing directory of businesses that are open and closed. Check it out or add your business easily by clicking here.

• Gov. Murphy has said restaurants can provide outdoor dining service starting Monday, with restrictions. READ MORE.
• Murphy said businesses such as salons and gyms can reopen on June 22, with restrictions to be announced. READ MORE.
• Read more about unemployment, small business, and other coronavirus regulations and benefits in New Jersey here.
• Turtleback Zoo has job opportunities in guest relations, paddle boats, Treetop Adventure, parking and maintenance, must be 18 years of age. Please visit the link for a list of available jobs and how to apply: https://buff.ly/2QWodaV

LONG-TERM CARE/NURSING HOMES

• 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.
• There is now a state website with numbers for people at individual nursing homes.
• You can report immediate issues with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct that should be reported to the Attorney General, here.

GIVING AND GETTING HELP

• To find out about help for the needy and seniors, or get food or food bank information, contact your town via the town website.
• There's an urgent need to donate blood. To give blood on June 15, click here.
• To read about Feed the Front Lines, click here.

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

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