WOODBRIDGE – Woodbridge officials reported zero new positive COVID-19 cases, according to Mayor John McCormac in his daily report on May 11.
“Regardless of how or why it happened, we will take it,” he said, noting Mother’s Day may have been a factor. “We are all longing for the day when people are getting tested and we can report that the real number of new cases is zero. We have been averaging a little over 13 cases per day for the last week after averaging in the 40s and 50s earlier in April. Let’s hope and pray that these low numbers continue starting tomorrow. We are still hearing very positive news when we re-contact those who were infected weeks ago as the vast majority of people have recovered.”
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the township stands at 1,456.
The total positive COVID-19 cases at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility is 48. The township is reporting statistics from the nursing home separately.
The residents at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home devastated by COVID-19 were initially counted in the township’s statistics before residents were moved to another facility out of town on March 25. On April 16, residents started moving back home after a massive cleaning effort. On May 4, the last resident has moved back to the facility.
The township has lost 45 residents from COVID-19, plus 15 residents from St. Joseph’s Nursing Home.
Colonia Cares is a group of high school students from Colonia High School [CHS], who came together to sell T-shirts and lawn signs. All the proceeds are turned into gift cards from local stores and restaurants, which are then donated to local food banks as well as Woodbridge Social Services.
On May 16, CHS students will be at the Evergreen Senior Center, 400 Inman Ave., giving out T-shirts and collecting non-perishable food items, pet food and supplies, and other donations of masks and gloves.
The CHS students are also calling township seniors to check in on them during the pandemic. Woodbridge High School (WHS) has partnered with Colonia Cares to form Woodbridge Cares. The WHS students will announce their collection dates soon.
The soup kitchen at Trinity Episcopal Church, 650 Rahway Ave., in Woodbridge is open again from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday for a hot lunch to go.
McCormac, in his report, continues to urge social distancing at parks. Playground equipment is off limits and organized games or practices are not allowed.
Keep Middlesex Moving, a non-profit transportation management association, challenges people to ride their bike during the month of May and they will donate food to the We Feed Woodbridge food banks. For more information visit the township’s website or www.kmm.org.
The township has extended the grace period for the May 1 property tax bills from May 10 to May 31.
The mayor continues to urge neighbors to check on people who live alone and cannot leave their homes and to continue to follow the rules and guidelines for social distancing, good personal hygiene, proper disposal of trash and avoiding non-essential travel. He also continues to warn residents of potential fundraising scams for COVID-19.
For more COVID-19 information, visit covid19.nj.gov. Visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for local information.
For Middlesex County information visit discovermiddlesex.com/covid19/ or www.middlsexcountynj.gov/covid19.