Posted Thursday, March 5th, 2020
Residents Urged to Avoid Rumors and Take Basic Precautions
The Morris County Office of Emergency Management and Office of Health Management, in coordination with officials in all 39 Morris County towns, school districts, and major healthcare providers, are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Officials across the county are working in concert with the state Department of Health and federal agencies to ensure they have the latest information to best deal with the virus. In particular, county officials are working closely with Atlantic Health and Saint Clare’s Health.
The Morris County Board of Freeholders is closely monitoring the situation through regular updates and has authorized county funding for needs related to this issue.
“County government, through OEM and the County Office of Health, is working to provide a unified, countywide response to this situation,’’ said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith. “We are coordinating with local health officials and hospitals to ensure they have the information, equipment, supplies, and personnel needed to deal with this situation.’’
“County residents should be assured that we are taking all necessary steps to be prepared to deal with this virus, if we should encounter it,’’ said Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo. “We are ready to support our municipalities and healthcare providers during this time.’’
In addition, county OEM officials urge residents not to be alarmed if they see first responders wearing high levels of protective gear, such as masks, hoods, suits and respirators. Out of an abundance of caution, they may wear this gear for the safety of the patient and fellow responders.
The following are tips provided by the Morris County Office of Health Management (consistent with CDC recommendations) to protect yourself and others from respiratory infections, including the coronavirus (COVID-19):
Residents are asked to avoid rumors and some less-than-accurate reports about this virus. Keep informed by obtaining information from trusted and reliable sources, including the CDC, NJDOH, and their local health departments:
CDC’s COVID-19 website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
N.J. Department of Health COVID-19 website:
https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
NJ COVID-19 Information Public Call Center: 1-800-222-1222.
For your local health department, call you town hall or visit your municipal website:
https://morriscountynj.gov/about/municipalities/.