Cranford Notes Just 2 New Coronavirus Cases In 2 Weeks – Cranford, NJ Patch

CRANFORD, NJ — The town of Cranford announced on Wednesday that it had confirmed just two new cases of the coronavirus among residents in the previous two weeks.

The city has had a total of 550 residents test positive since the beginning of the pandemic, including two since the Sept. 16 newsletter, the city said.

The number of fatalities remains at 97, including people in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Back on Sept. 16, the city had confirmed a new fatality since the previous week’s update. Read more here.

On Tuesday, the town’s superintendent of schools announced that an elementary school student had tested positive for the virus.

New Jersey has had a total of 205,275 confirmed cases, and 14,335 confirmed fatalities as of Wednesday.

Downtown Cranford Mask Up Challenge

The Downtown Cranford office is partnering with the Cranford Police Department and the Cranford PBA Local #52 for the Downtown Cranford Mask Up Challenge. In the month of October, get “caught” wearing your face mask properly in Downtown Cranford and CPD officers may give a “ticket” — a raffle ticket. You will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 10 gift cards to a Downtown business.

Other local coronavirus information:

  • On Tuesday, Cranford’s superintendent of schools announced that an elementary school student had tested positive for the virus. Read more about that and the school plan here.

LIBRARY

  • The Library is open with limited open hours for browsing new books in adult, young adult, children, and media collections. This will be in a new, dedicated space inside the Walnut Avenue entrance area.
  • For more information about the Library hours, programs, Grab & Go, Lending the Internet, and getting a Library card please click here or call 709-7272.

COMMUNITY CENTER

  • Community organizations and clubs are invited to reserve rooms for meetings or activities. The staff has information about maximum capacity for each room in the Community Center and will assist you in booking a room to best accommodate your group.
  • The gym and teen room remain closed and programs will not resume in person at this time.
  • To reserve a room or get more information call 908-709-7283.

GYMS

  • Gov. Murphy signed an executive order allowing gyms, health clubs, and indoor amusement facilities to reopen at 25 percent capacity effective Sept. 1. Equipment must be adjusted to allow a minimum of six feet of distance, and must be sanitized between uses. Everyone must wear masks. More details can be found here.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

  • During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor’s office if you are experiencing difficulties.
  • The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
  • New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
  • Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can’t work due to your child’s school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

  • As of two weeks ago, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said. The state also announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1.
  • New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.
  • The state released death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
  • You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
  • Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

  • NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
  • General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
  • NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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