Westfield Resident, 91, Dies Of Coronavirus

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle reported on Sunday that a 91-year-old resident of the town, who had been hospitalized in Overlook Medical Center in Summit, has died of coronavirus.

He is among 27 deaths reported by the state of New Jersey on Monday due to the pandemic. There are now a total of 2,844 confirmed cases statewide.

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There were two new fatalities reported in Union County, in Westfield and in Linden.

Brindle said in an update on Sunday: "I am saddened to report that this includes a Westfield resident who passed away at Overlook Medical Center. The resident was a 91-year-old male with underlying cardiac and respiratory conditions who, to our knowledge at this time, was not connected to any other confirmed cases. His COVID-19 test results were received by the Health Department after his death, and their case investigation is now underway."

She added, "Health Officer Megan Avallone will be available for questions during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting to provide any additional information we obtain about this case. This fatality should serve as a sobering reminder about the impact of this pandemic and the importance of following all social distancing measures. Our prayers go out to this family, and to all those who have received a confirmed diagnosis."

Brindle had already reported on Thursday that there were four other cases in the town, including a 38-year-old dad who recounted how hard he had to plead to get a test.

Officials say they are opening more testing sites and hoping to get more tests. New testing centers are opening almost daily, including a new drive-through coronavirus testing facility in Union County.

For questions about the coronavirus test, the state has set up hotlines here, and you can also call 211 with questions. You can also start with your doctor.

If you need immediate help, call 911.

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu. More than 15,000 people have died worldwide.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

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