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 16 million COVID-19 cases. In New Jersey, new cases have continued to rise, reaching 6,000 new cases in the daily total for December 12. There have been over 411,000 cases in total in the state to date. There have been 344 confirmed cases in Rochelle Park.

New Jersey remains in Stage 2 of Governor Murphy’s three stage reopening plan. As case numbers rise dramatically, limitations on in person gatherings have been tightened in recent weeks, and new regulations are in place to protect employees. The CDC continues to release guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety, including those decreasing gatherings to 10 people for indoor gatherings and 25 people for outdoor gatherings.

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

In recent weeks, brand new COVID-19 vaccinations have been made available to high risk populations. In New Jersey, as elsewhere, the vaccine, which consists of two doses, is being administered in phases. While limited doses are available, vaccines will be limited to healthcare personnel, essential workers, and those at the highest risk for complications related to COVID-19. Later, as larger quantities become available, other groups will have access to the vaccine.

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