COVID-19 Information Update

We hope all our patrons are staying safe and helping our community do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Below, we have compiled some recently updated information regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic here in New Jersey.

Data and Procedures

Nationwide, there have been over 24 million COVID-19 cases. In New Jersey, new cases have remained at a growth rate of 4,000 to 6,000 new cases daily. There have been over 572,000 cases in total in the state to date. There have been 464 confirmed cases in Rochelle Park.

New Jersey remains in Stage 2 of Governor Murphy’s three stage reopening plan. While restrictions are still in place on in person fatherings, the state reopened indoor sports as of January 2, 2021. The CDC continues to release guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety, including updates to their COVIDTracer service.

A travel advisory list of states from which travelers are asked to quarantine after arriving in New Jersey remains in effect as well, though the suggested quarantine times have been decreased to 7-10 days in correlation with new CDC guidelines.

Get and Give Help

In Bergen County, you can still find testing at the New Bridge Medical Center by appointment and pre-screening only.

The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark has a new, FEMA funded program called Hope and Healing. Their objectives are as follows:

“Our objective is to provide crisis counseling as well as referrals (food, rent, utilities, etc) to those who have been impacted by Covid-19 in any way. We also have a food pantry here in our building from which we can give food to clients once a month (can be picked up or delivered). Our rental assistance program is also providing three months rent for those who have proof that they have not been able to pay their rent due to Covid-19.”

To contact the organization about the assistance programs, you may email them or call 973-266-7991 or 1-800-227-7413. For crisis counseling, call 732-204-6510.

If you are able to donate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), you can still drop off donations at the Drive-Through PPE Donation Drive at the Annex Building, 220 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus.

If you are able to donate your time to volunteer with county COVID-19 relief, email bcvolunteer@co.bergen.nj.us or call 201-336-6006 to learn more about how you can help your neighbors.

The COVID-19 Vaccine

While COVID-19 Vaccines are still being administered mostly to healthcare workers and residents of long term health facilities. However, “to determine which vaccination phase you are in and be notified when you are eligible for a vaccine,” you can pre-register for the vaccine here.

Once you’ve been vaccinated, the CDC asks you to sign up for V-Safe to report any side effects after the vaccine and to be reminded of your second dose. 

Visit the NJHealth or CDC website to learn more about who is receiving the COVID-19 vaccine first, as well as what to expect when receiving your vaccine.

Questions?

If you have further questions about the state’s COVID-19 response, please visit the NJ Department of Health main COVID-19 page. To ask questions, you may place a call 24/7 to the NJ COVID-19 & Poison Center Public Hotline at 1-800-962-1253, Text NJCOVID to 898-211, or call 211.

Information specific to Bergen County may be found on the Bergen County website (la información está disponible en español). You may also place a call to the BCDHS Health & Safety Hotline at 201-225-7000 (after hours and weekends call 201-785-8505). For emotional support, please call 866-202-HELP(4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org.

The Centers for Disease Control’s COVID-19 Dashboard offers comprehensive guides on a variety of topics related to the COVID-19 crisis.

For more information, please follow any of the links above, or visit the New Jersey State Library website. We will continue to post updates as we are able and as the situation develops.

Thank you, and be well,

Charlie, Library Assistant