COVID-19 and Montclair: What we know – Montclair Local

This page will serve as a hub to direct Montclair Local readers to our most up-to-date news coverage of the COVID-19 situation, as well as to offer links to statewide and national resources for the latest information. It will be updated as news develops. This page was most recently updated Sunday, April 5, at 6:45 p.m.

The New York/New Jersey area is dealing with an ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, with 37,505 cases and 917 deaths confirmed in New Jersey — including 165 cases in Montclair, resulting in 20 deaths — as of Sunday afternoon, April 4.

Montclair’s municipal buildings, schools, public library, and parks and recreation facilities have all closed. Statewide regulations have indefinitely closed bars and restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, and all other non-essential businesses, while residents are asked not to travel between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. No gatherings are permitted anywhere in the state.

A full day-by-day timeline of Montclair Local’s coverage since the pandemic began is available here. Below is all of Montclair Local’s coverage posted in the last week:

The week that was

Sunday, April 5: 37,505 cases statewide, 165 cases in Montclair; 917 deaths statewide, 20 deaths in Montclair

Saturday, April 4: 34,124 cases statewide, 155 cases in Montclair; 846 deaths statewide, 18 deaths in Montclair

Friday, April 3: 29,895 cases statewide, 142 cases in Montclair; 646 deaths statewide, 17 deaths in Montclair

Thursday, April 2: 25,590 cases statewide, 118 cases in Montclair; 537 deaths statewide, 13 deaths in Montclair

• The state announces 162 new deaths, and Gov. Murphy says that we are likely about a week or so away from discovering how well New Jersey has “flattened the curve,” with nearly two weeks having passed since stay-at-home orders were announced.

Wednesday, April 1: 22,255 cases statewide, 102 cases in Montclair; 355 deaths statewide, 13 deaths in Montclair

Tuesday, March 31: 18,696 cases statewide, 96 cases in Montclair; 267 deaths statewide, 13 deaths in Montclair

Monday, March 30: 16,636 cases statewide, 79 cases in Montclair; 198 deaths statewide, 13 deaths in Montclair

Sunday, March 29: 13,386 cases statewide, 55 cases in Montclair; 141 deaths statewide, 10 deaths in Montclair

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness with symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Those symptoms can develop within 2-14 days of exposure to the virus, which can occur as a result of close contact (within about six feet) with an infected person, or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic, with cases surfacing in more than 100 countries worldwide.

While it is believed that most individuals who contract COVID-19 will deal with mild symptoms, limiting the spread of the virus is essential, authorities say, both to protect individuals at higher-risk of serious illness after contracting COVID-19 — including older adults, or people with serious chronic medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease — as well as to prevent local medical facilities from being overwhelmed. (This strategy is known as “flattening the curve.”)

To that end, officials are urging people — whether healthy or sick — to follow the principle of “social distancing,” avoiding unnecessary travel and limiting in-person interactions in groups of any size. Individuals feeling symptoms should self-quarantine, minimizing all activities except for seeking medical care.

Information and best practices from the CDC

According to the CDC, the best way to avoid contracting COVID-19 is to limit exposure, either to people in close contact or surfaces that may have been contaminated. The CDC offers these tips to protect yourself:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people at higher risk of serious illness as a result of the virus.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to seek medical treatment. Wear a face mask if you are sick. (You do not need to wear a face mask if you are not sick, unless you are caring for someone who is sick.)
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash immediately, and wash your hands afterward.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.

And below are links to the CDC website offering guidelines for the most helpful behaviors to follow while COVID-19 is actively spreading: