ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—A 55-year-old Englewood man who tested “presumptive positive” for coronavirus March 6 at Englewood Hospital—and was New Jersey’s fourth confirmed case—was a guest at a conservative conference also attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in late February in Washington, D.C.
As of today, New Jersey has 10 presumptive cases of coronavirus statewide. The diagnoses are considered “presumptive” until officially confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) organizers said the 55-year-old man “had no interaction with the president or vice president” while at the conference.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, however, will reportedly all self quarantine over fears of coronavirus exposure at CPAC.
In a message released Saturday, CPAC conference officials said the White House was aware of the situation and had contacted the Maryland Health Department for guidance.
The U.S. currently has 545 cases of confirmed coronavirus, including 22 deaths, across 34 states, according to the C.D.C.
New Rochelle, N.Y., a ‘hot spot’
The Englewood resident who attended CPAC has been at Englewood Health since March 4, where he is in stable condition. He attended services at a temple in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Feb. 23, according to New Jersey’s health commissioner.
The Westchester County community of New Rochelle has been called a “hot spot” for the virus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has now spread to every continent on Earth, except Antarctica.
The community’s mayor told CBS News earlier today that there are 82 confirmed cases in Westchester County, all related to the infected resident who attended religious services there. Thousands in his community are now under precautionary quarantine orders, said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.
Officials in New York, however, urged calm, saying most people who contract Coronavirus are not at risk of death, but warned that senior citizens and individuals who are immunocompromised face a greater threat.
Englewood Health officials note that if a person is experiencing fever and/or symptoms of a respiratory illness, “you should call ahead to your doctor’s office for advice on whether you should come in and be seen or manage your symptoms at home. If you do come to the doctor’s office and have these symptoms (fever; cough; shortness of breath), ask the staff for a mask as soon as you arrive,” said an update on Englewood Health’s website.
There are currently no vaccines available to prevent novel coronavirus infections. Instead, people are urged to wash hands often with soap and water (f not available, use hand sanitizer); avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; avoid contact with people who are sick; stay home while you are sick and avoid contact with others; and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
To combat the disease, President Trump has signed an $8.4 billion emergency spending measure that sailed through the House and the Senate last week.
School officials pay close attention as nearby New York district closes
At a press conference held Friday, March 6, by Bergen County leaders, Interim County Executive Superintendent Louis DeLisio said no school-aged children in Bergen County have been infected. School districts and education officials have been told by state leaders to stand by and be ready to close—either proactively or reactively—should that situation change.
In nearby Rockland County, N.Y., the East Ramapo School District closed for cleaning and sanitizing over the weekend, through Tuesday, March 10, after five students were reportedly quarantined due to potential exposure to the virus. Those students attend Hempstead Elementary School, Pomona Middle School, Chestnut Ridge Middle School, Spring Valley High School, and Ramapo High School.
“We continue to work to ensure that all necessary precautionary steps are being taken to keep students and staff healthy,” said East Ramapo Superintendent of Schools Deborah L. Wortham.
In the event of a prolonged closure, schools in Bergen County are expected to continue working remotely, with school days counting toward the state’s mandatory 188-day calendar, DeLisio said.
Report fraud, price gauging
Bergen County Executive James Tedesco also called on business to not prey on fears and exploit anxiety surrounding the virus.
“We are asking Bergen and Passaic county residents to report any merchants that dramatically increase prices for surgical masks, gloves, sanitizing products such as hand sanitizer, Lysol/Clorox wipes and sprays in an apparent attempt to take unfair advantage of a health emergency,” said County Executive Tedesco, saying COVID-19 related fraud should be reported to the Division of Consumer Protection immediately at (201) 336-6400.
— Additional reporting by Tom Clancey
