OLD BRIDGE – Old Bridge officials reported 74 new positive COVID-19 cases over a seven-day period, which brings the total number of cases to 1,501, according to Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry in his coronavirus report on Oct. 21.
The seven-day period is from Oct. 14-20. The township has lost one more resident to COVID-19, which brings the total residents lost to 85, according to Middlesex County.
The Old Bridge Police Department will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s annual “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Old Bridge Municipal Complex.
Officials have provided updated charts of the cases, including cases in long-term care facilities and cases in each ward on the township’s website.
In an effort to support and assist local businesses, the township has established a Business Advisory Committee led by the township’s Office of Economic Development, which will work directly with the township’s business community.
The township is now accepting temporary permit applications for outdoor dining, which have reopened on June 15. The permits have been extended to Nov. 7. Indoor dining at 25% capacity began on Sept. 4.
Residents can make an appointment for appliance pickup through the township’s recycling center. For more information contact [email protected] or call 732-721-5600 ext. 6107.
The Old Bridge Township Animal Shelter reopened to the public by appointment only on Aug. 3. Appointment times are from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. seven days a week. Masks will be required during appointments. To make an appointment call 732-721-5600 ext. 6300.
Curbside pickup at the Old Bridge Public Library began on June 23. Public book drops are open. The Central Branch at One Old Bridge Plaza is taking 30-minute appointments for residents to browse the shelves and check out reading and audio materials from 12-4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays. Residents must fill out an appointment request form at www.oldbridgelibrary.org. Masks must be worn during appointments.
Old Bridge’s largest parks, Veterans, Geick and Mannino, and Lombardi Field Track are open daily for passive recreation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
The township has also reopened four tennis courts at the Municipal Complex. The courts are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and players are asked to limit their court time to no more than one hour.
Three of the courts will be dedicated for tennis and the fourth will be for pickleball only. Signs will be posted on the fence indicating which courts are open and for which activity.
Two tennis courts at Carl Sandburg Middle School are also open.
The Bark dog park at Mannino Park has reopened.
The Old Bridge Township Office of Emergency Management is still looking for supplies to support township police, fire and first aid including N95 masks, surgical masks, Tyvek suits, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. Anyone able to donate supplies can call OEM Deputy Coordinator Mike Petschauer at 848-565-1324 or email [email protected].
The Old Bridge Food Bank is seeking donations. Officials said along with food items, toiletry items are also needed. Two bins are set up outside at 1 Old Bridge Plaza for non-perishable food donations for collections on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Monetary donations in the form of checks can be mailed to Old Bridge Food Bank, 1 Old Bridge Food Bank.
For more information about COVID-19 related matters in Old Bridge, visit oldbridge.com/COVID and its social media pages.
For Middlesex County information on COVID-19 information visit discovermiddlesex.com/covid19/ or www.middlesexcountynj.gov/covid19.