OLD BRIDGE – Old Bridge officials reported 13 new positive COVID-19 cases, which brings the total number of positive cases to 405 in the township, according to Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry in his daily report on April 12.
Henry issued a message to resident concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and requests for specific details regarding those infected, such as demographics, recovery, and death rates.
“It is important to understand that we will provide updates as they are given to us by the Middlesex County Health Department,” he said. “However, due to HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] law, we must maintain the privacy of individuals affected by COVID-19.”
Henry noted, according to the Middlesex County Health Department, they do not track patient recovery from COVID-19, and therefore township officials cannot provide recovery information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] issues guidelines on recovery between seven to 14 days.
The Middlesex County Health Department has confirmed there is one death related to COVID-19 in Old Bridge, Henry said.
In addition to the state’s official website, covid19.nj.gov, residents can text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text messages and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.
To help sort out the rumors around the virus, in a joint effort by the New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center, division of the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, a website has been established to combat rumors and disinformation regarding the virus. The COVID-19 Rumor Control and Disinformation website is njhomelandsecurity.gov/covid19.
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].
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.middlsexcountynj.gov/covid19.