April 20, 2020
Coronavirus Update #28
Dear Resident,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. This update is the text of the video posted on Facebook and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/marlborotownship/
There is still time to send in a submission to be a part of Marlboro Thanks Our Heroes video. Pictures or short videos submitted by our residents will be merged together into a town-wide thank you video. The simple instructions are posted on upcoming events on-line and HERE.
Testing and Stats
On a statewide level, the rates of new COVID-19 cases are now doubling in weeks not days. Newly hospitalized numbers are moving downward and the number of hospital discharges are outpacing intakes. We are making progress as aggressive social distancing is having the desired effect.
Total State Positives: 88,806 (3,528 new cases reported today)
Total State Deaths 4,377 (177 new deaths reported)
Monmouth County Positive Cases: 4,783
Monmouth County Deaths: 230
Marlboro Positive Cases: 319
The Covid-19 Testing section on www.covid19.nj.gov has been updated to include additional testing locations as well as hours, day and requirements.
The Recreation Department has released information regarding spring programming. As expected, classes, programs and sports for seniors, adults and children are cancelled, postponed or suspended. A decision regarding youth travel soccer will be announced by May 1 and will be in coordination with other leagues and consistent with guidelines. Planning for summer programming including summer camp and the swim club continues. Mindful that finances are a concern for many, the deadline for final recreation and swim club summer camp payment has been extended from May 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020. The complete letter was sent to residents through community pass, is posted on line and linked HERE.
Public Schools - Last week,Governor announced that public schools will remain closed through at least Friday, May 15. As always, the school districts will communicate plans for virtual learning with the students’ parents/guardians.
Monmouth County Department of Human Services has released a Pandemic Resource Guide. The guide includes information about including food pantries, designated senior store hours, food delivery and curbside service, pharmacies, crisis counseling, behavioral health services, health department and poison control, caregiver support, disability services, veterans and first responders support and benefits as well as financial assistance. This guide will continue to be updated as the COVID-19 situation further evolves.
State and Federal
The Governor Murphy announced that this week he will announce a broad blueprint with benchmarks and plans to begin opening the state. The opening will be careful and strategic so as to not exacerbate a second wave. It will consist of both securing public health and ensuring consumer confidence. Personal health creates economic health. New Jersey will align and work with the regional coalition.
At the Federal Level US Senators proposed a bi-partisan bill including $500 billion state and local Government rescue fund. The proposal includes full flexibility in utilizing these funds, including, but not limited to making up for lost revenue caused by economic shutdo3wn. This flexibility will also be extended to the $150B fund created by the CARES Act. Distribution would be based in equal parts on population size, infection rates and revenue losses. We will continue to report on this as more is known.
The State of New Jersey welcomes your help in responding to COVID-19. To effectively manage the outpouring of support and assistance offers, they are asking residents to complete one of the following three registration processes:
- Healthcare Professionals: New Jersey needs help from qualified health, mental health, and related professionals to supplement our health care capacity on a temporary basis: covid19.nj.gov/volunteer
- Technology Professionals: New Jersey welcomes offers of assistance from technology professionals and firms looking to help in the fight against COVID-19: forms.business.nj.gov/tech/
- Community Volunteers: New Jersey service providers require help from volunteers. Sign up to connect to volunteer opportunities in your community: helpnjnow.communityos.org/
For more on how you can help visit https://covid19.nj.gov/help
This Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 pm there will be a virtual meeting of the Township Council. The agenda is HERE.
Prior updates remain posted on the Alerts and Actions Scroll and includes information from local, county, state and federal governments including information for unemployment benefits and business assistance. We remind residents to visit the state Covid-19 hub at www.covid19.nj.gov .
Mayor Jon Hornik