Dear Verona Residents:
This afternoon, the Montclair Health Department updated the number of residents of Verona who have tested positive with novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to four. This includes one additional case since yesterday’s update.
To protect personal health information, federal and state regulations bar us from being able to disclose additional information about the individuals and confirm specific information even if other entities choose to make their own announcements.
It is becoming apparent that the source of exposure for these positive cases is community spread. If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from vulnerable populations. This includes people 60 years of age and older; people with serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease; or those who are immunocompromised.
I want to emphasize to every resident the importance of staying at home with your family and eliminating contact with others outside your home. Social distancing is the only way in which to reduce your risk and exposure to contracting the virus. Statistics show that 80% of COVID-19 patients recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids and taking pain and fever-reducing medications. However, illness can be severe and require hospitalization in some cases. Should you exhibit any symptoms of illness, like fever, cough, or shortness of breath, consult your personal healthcare provider to discuss treatment.
The County of Essex is very close to opening a COVID-19 Screening Point of Distribution (POD). More information on this testing site will be released as soon as it is made available. I remind everyone that there is a limited number of tests available. If you are not experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, the sites will not consider you eligible for testing.
Please continue to check in on your family members and neighbors. By working together I am convinced that we will overcome these hurdles.
Take care,
MATTHEW CAVALLO
Township Manager
Why we don’t at least find out places visited in Verona?
I understand most will get this but would be nice at least more details. ….. for contact tracing purposes
Contact tracing is a process for health care professionals. They are the ones trained in the CDC’s protocols for it. As for the rest of us, we need to start behaving in ways that show that we understand that community spread is a given, not a possibility. We need to stay out of crowds and wash our hands.