WOODBRIDGE – Woodbridge officials reported two new positive COVID-19 cases, which bring the total number of cases to 1,512, according to Mayor John McCormac in his daily report on May 27.
“That’s very welcome news and we have now had two, four, two, two and three in the last five days,” he said. “In our worst five-day period in early April we had 320 cases and now seven weeks later we have 13 in five days.”
The number of COVID-19 cases now include East Jersey State Prison and related state facilities, which were previously reported for Rahway. The facilities are in the Avenel section of the township. The state facilities have a total number of 111 cases.
The total number of cases at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility is 55.
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 is reporting statistics from the state facilities and nursing home separately. McCormac said tracking the numbers separately – general population, state facilities and health facilities – gives the township a better indication of the real impact on its everyday residents.
The township has lost 59 residents to COVID-19 in the general population, five residents in the state facilities, and 23 residents from St. Joseph’s Nursing Home.
McCormac, in his report, recognized Girl Scout Troop 83506 for their Bronze Award project. The girls made 184 care packages for the senior residents of Cooper Tower in Iselin and Greiner Tower in Colonia filled with masks, toiletries and snacks using money they made from their cookie sales. The care packages also included information on COVID-19 protection
The Woodbridge Cares effort from Woodbridge High School students has reopened their store for sale of 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. For more information visit www.woodbridgecares.org.
The township is taking steps toward reopening Town Hall. Most interaction with local government can be done by phone, mail or on-line. Township officials are also accepting appointments if a person needs to meet with someone to conduct business. Phone numbers are on the township’s website or call 732-634-4500.
Hematology and Oncology Associates at 540 Green St. in Iselin and Excel Urgent Care at 740 Route 1 north in Iselin are offering antibody testing. For more information call Hematology and Oncology Associates at 732-913-8500 and for Excel Urgent Care call 732-874-5507.
We Feed Woodbridge, which distributes funds and donations to the 11 food banks in the township, has raised more than $91,000 with the goal of reaching $100,000. Donations can be made by check payable to We Feed Woodbridge and sent to the township Health Center at 2 George Frederick Plaza or Town Hall at 1 Main Street, both Woodbridge, NJ 07095.
Food Bank volunteers report a 33% increase in the number of people seeking help from the township’s food pantries.
With Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement of more businesses able to open up for curbside pickup, the township wants to generate a list of all businesses in town with the option. To be on the list call 732-726-6261 or email [email protected]. A list generated so far is on the township’s website and Facebook pages.
The state has added automobile, motorcycle dealerships and bicycle shops to list, which reopened on May 22.
The Skyline Mini golf course and batting cages behind the Woodbridge Community Center are expected to open this week.
Summerfest 2020 has been moved from June 6 to Sept. 5 in Merrill Park, Iselin. McCormac said they hope to have a ceremony during the festival to recognize the residents who passed from COVID-19 and bring together family and loved ones to celebrate their lives as well as to celebrate hero first responders and health care professionals who put their lives on the line to protect and save others.
The township’s annual fireworks display has been moved from July 2 to Sept. 6 in Alvin P. Williams Park in Sewaren.
As of now, the township expects to hold its complete summer concert series. Some locations might move around to larger venues to allow for proper social distancing.
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.
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.
Calls for bulk pickups will be accepted starting June 1 at 732-738-1311 ext. 3600.
The mayor continues to urge social distancing at parks. Playground equipment is off limits and organized games or practices are not allowed. He also urges 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.middlesexcountynj.gov/covid19.