Editor’s note: This story was updated on Friday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m.
ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Health officials are working to determine the known contacts of a city resident who contracted coronavirus and was treated at Englewood Health, the second case in New Jersey, the city’s mayor confirmed.
“We’re trying to protect the privacy of the victim of this point,” Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes told Northern Valley Press at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. “The health department is going through their known contacts and we should be notified thereafter.”
Earlier that day, a 32-year-old Fort Lee man became the state’s first confirmed case of the virus, which first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has now spread to every continent in the world, except Antarctica, infecting more than 90,000 globally and killing more than 3,000, according to the World Health Organization.
“The Department is working closely with the [Centers for Disease Control] and local health officials to respond to this case and is monitoring the evolving situation across the nation,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.
The Englewood resident has been released and is currently self-quarantined, said an Englewood Health spokesperson, and proper protocols provided by the C.D.C. were followed.
“Englewood Health continues to screen patients in accordance with C.D.C. guidelines and remains prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19,” the spokesperson said.
The C.D.C. said March 6 that there were 164 cases in the United States, resulting in 11 deaths in 19 states.
The Fort Lee man was being treated at Hackensack Meridian Health, according to published reports.
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.
“I urge residents to remain calm and use resources from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control to prepare and prevent the spread of infection,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
Health officials, initially concerned about travelers visiting areas with outbreaks, are increasingly working to prevent community spread of the virus, which can transfer from person to person when in close contact (about 6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
In Westcher County, N.Y., more than 1,000 people were quarantined after an man with the virus attended services at a synagogue that later hosted a well-attended bat mitzvah and funeral, according to published reports.
Four positive cases have been confirmed in New York City, said the city’s health department March 6.
The New Jersey statewide 24/7 hotline for the public to ask questions about the coronavirus is (800) 222-1222. The state’s online resource page is nj.gov/health/coronavirus.
Contact health officials if you exhibit symptoms, which may appear between two to 14 days after exposure, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, officials have said.
No school-aged children have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Bergen County, but schools are making plans to close should that situation change, said Interim Bergen County Executive Superintendent Louis Delisio. (Related: New Jersey School Districts Told to Prepare for Coronavirus.)
To combat the disease, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an $8.4 billion emergency spending measure approved by both the House and the Senate this week.
Bergen County Executive James Tedesco also called on business to not prey on fears and exploit anxiety.
“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.
Consumers who suspect price gouging and other COVID-19 related fraud should contact the Division of Consumer Protection immediately at (201) 336-6400, Tedesco said.
“We are urging Bergen County residents to remain calm, not spread fear and panic, and to be assured that we are all working together and utilizing all of our resources to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19,” Tedesco said.
