Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

May 16, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

Mercer County has reported, as of May 16, 2020, there have been 46 new cases for a total of 5,719 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 10 additional deaths for a total, sadly, of 396 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. The State of New Jersey today reported 1,184 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 145,089 cases, and 111 additional deaths for a total of 10,249 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the New Jersey official COVID-19 dashboard (CLICK HERE).

It is important that everyone continue practicing social distancing, following the advice and directives of health care professionals and government officials, and using good sense, so we can all get through this difficult period together. We need to remember that the most effective and most caring responsible thing we can continue to do for ourselves, our loved ones and our entire community is to continue to do what we are doing.

If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one during the current crisis, NJMentalHealthCares is available 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. at (866) 202-HELP (4357).

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES

Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 144 (CLICK HERE) on May 15, 2020 regarding procedures for conduct of the July 7, 2020 Primary Election, generally as follows:

• Vote by Mail Ballots will automatically be sent to all "Active" registered Democrats and Republican voters without the need for a application to receive a vote-by-mail ballot.
• Vote by Mail Applications will be sent to "Active" voters who are registered as "Unaffiliated."
• All vote-by-mail return envelopes and vote-by-mail applications shall have prepaid postage.
• To the extent possible, each county shall procure at least 5 secure ballot drop boxes and place them in locations that are readily accessible to the registered voters within the county.
• Each county shall open a minimum of at least 1 polling place in each municipality. Provided that sufficient poll workers are available, each county shall open a minimum of 50 percent of its polling places, and may open more than the minimum number of polling places.
• Any voter who appears at a polling place on the day of the July 7 primary election shall vote via a provisional ballot, except that a voter with disabilities may vote on an ADA-accessible voting machine.

Governor Murphy also issued Executive Order No. 145 (CLICK HERE) on May 15, 2020 allowing resumption of elective surgeries and invasive procedures, both medical and dental, on Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 A.M. This Order rescinds the suspension of all elective surgeries and invasive procedures performed on adults, which was instituted beginning on March 27 under Executive Order No. 109 to preserve essential equipment and health care system capacity to respond to COVID-19. Executive Order No. 145 requires that the New Jersey Department of Health issue policies by Monday, May 18 addressing how elective surgeries and invasive procedures may proceed in health care facilities, addressing relevant considerations, such as the following:

• Which types of facilities can resume these procedures;
• Which specific facilities are eligible to resume these procedures, based upon their current or potential capacity;
• Whether facilities will be required to prioritize certain procedures, and if so, what considerations should guide these decisions;
• Personal Protective Equipment requirements for facilities that resume these procedures;
• Staffing requirements for facilities that resume these procedures;
• Whether facilities should cohort COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients;
• Requirements for patients seeking these procedures to undergo testing, self-quarantine, or other preventive measures, as applicable;
• Policies surrounding visitors;
• Policies surrounding discharge of patients after the procedures are completed; and
• Reporting metrics regarding the resumption of these procedures.

By Monday, May 18, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs also will issue policies addressing similar considerations for how elective surgeries and invasive procedures may proceed in outpatient settings that are not licensed by the Department of Health.

For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:

• Call: 2-1-1
• Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
• Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
• Visit covid19.nj.gov for additional information

PRIOR UPDATES

For prior updates and resources visit the EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP COVID-19 information webpage:
www.east-windsor.nj.us/COVID

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.