Cases still dropping in NJ but several states are being hit hard with new outbreaks!
(Toms River) – The Ocean County Health Department is reminding residents as we proceed into the second phase of New Jersey’s road to recovery and restart that there is still plenty of work to be done in mitigating the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The message is simple; we must remain vigilant in our collective effort if there’s any chance of beating the virus and reduce the rate of transmission.
“We’ve all come too far to take any steps backward,” advised Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “It’s imperative we keep ourselves and loved ones safe by continuing to practice social distancing, getting tested, wearing a mask and to follow all the COVID-19 safety protocols and guidance. If we stop now, we can easily have the same setbacks such as states like Florida, Texas and others across the nation are currently facing.”
Do your part to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community by:
- Getting Tested – Testing is now available to everyone in New Jersey. The Ocean County drive thru testing site at Ocean County Community College is now offering testing for asymptomatic individuals. Visit www.ochd.org to register for an appointment. You could have COVID-19 and not even know it. You should also get tested if you have symptoms, have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, are an essential worker, or were recently in a large crowd where social distancing was hard to maintain. Learn how and where to get tested at covid19.nj.gov/testing
- Answering The Phone When A Contact Tracer Calls – You’ve been called because you either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has – so it’s critical you answer the phone. Contact tracers are calling with life-saving information that will keep you, your loved ones, and your community safe and healthy.
- Wear a Mask – Always wear a mask over your nose and mouth in public spaces, and anywhere that you cannot keep 6 feet of distance from another person.
- Keep a Social Distance – Keep six feet between yourself and others whenever possible and avoid crowded areas.
However, to save lives and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the State has issued an incoming travel advisory that all individuals entering New Jersey from states with a significant spread of COVID-19 quarantine for 14-days after leaving that state.
The following is a current list of states as of July 7, 2020 that are included in the travel advisory; Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
Under the 14-day quarantine travel advisory announced by the Governors of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, individuals traveling to or returning to New Jersey from states with increasing rates of COVID-19 are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. This includes travel by train, bus, car, plane and any other method of transportation.
“So far we’ve been fortunate in Ocean County, but several other counties across New Jersey have been directly tied to people traveling here from COVID-19 hotspots nationwide,” explained Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “The Public Health community is urging travelers and residents who are returning from impacted states to self-quarantine at their home, or a hotel or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.”
Regenye went on to explain that the self-quarantine is voluntary, but compliance is expected. Travelers and residents returning from impacted states typically will not need to check-in with public health officials, unless they are otherwise involved in contact tracing efforts or required to do so by their employer or any other federal, state or local law or order. It is expected that individuals will follow the recommendation to self-quarantine.
The travel advisory does not apply to any individual passing through designated states for a limited duration through the course of travel. Examples of such brief passage include but are not limited to: stopping at rest stops for vehicles, buses, and/or trains; or layovers for air travel, bus travel, or train travel.
Travelers arriving from areas with increasing COVID-19 cases may wish to postpone their travel to the region if they are unwilling or unable to follow the self-quarantine advisory. Contact your travel agent or real estate agent to inquire about any potential cancelation and/or refund. Alternatively, you may travel to NJ and stay in self-quarantine in the home; however, you are advised not to leave the home for any activities other than to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food or other essential items.
“The last thing we want is to take any steps backward after coming this far,” Regenye continued. The temptations are there especially with the nice weather upon us, the graduations, youth leagues, day cares, summer camps and all the rest of the activities that will bring people in close contact. The OCHD urges people to resist those temptations or fall into non-compliance because it may “feel like” the pandemic is over. Believe me it’s far from over; it’s still deadly and is still easily contagious if you’re NOT protected.”
“I can’t stress enough that you’re not only protecting yourself when you follow these protocols, but you are protecting your friends and loved ones, the individuals at high risk and others in your community,” Little explained. “We’ve seen the success we can have when people comply and we see how things can quickly escalate when they stop. Let’s not go backwards at this point in the pandemic.”
For more information regarding COVID-19 travel advisory updates and guidelines please visit the OCHD website at www.ochd.org. The OCHD is also providing a general COVID-19 Information Call Hot Line for residents
and clinicians to answer questions regarding the coronavirus. The number is 732-341-9700 ext. 7411.
The NJDOH (NJPIES) hotline is available for questions around the clock at 1-800-222-1222 or by dialing 2-1-1. Other related sources; for medical COVID-19 questions call 1-800-962-1253 (24/7) or Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts.
Additional information can be found at:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at
https:/ /www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/summary.html
or New Jersey Department of Health website at: