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St. Joseph’s Nursing Home devastated by COVID-19 may reopen in near future

PHOTOS BY KATHY CHANG/STAFF
One of the elderly patients who tested positive for COVID-19 passed away from the virus at the hospital on March 21, according to Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac. The patient was one of eight people confirmed positive for the coronavirus in Woodbridge Township from the St. Joseph’s Senior Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility.

WOODBRIDGE – State officials are working to reopen St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, according to Mayor John McCormac in his daily report on April 15.

“State [officials] have indicated the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility has been completely cleaned and sanitized and [the state is] making plans to reopen the facility in the near future,” he said. “We stand ready, willing and able to assist the Department of Health and Governor [Phil Murphy’s] Office in any way we possibly can to ensure a smooth transition of our former residents back to the township of Woodbridge where in most cases they can be much closer to their families.”

St. Joseph’s Seniors Home has been operated by the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception since 1981, according to its website. It is a nonprofit Catholic healthcare community focused on offering a continuity of senior living.

The nursing home saw an increased number of reported positive COVID-19 cases and deaths. With the help of state officials and CareOne the residents were moved to a CareOne facility in Hanover on March 25.

On April 15, Woodbridge officials reported 17 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the township to 751.

“The township had its fourth straight day of low numbers and our lowest daily total in the last two weeks,” he said, adding there is no noticeable trends. “That makes 128 cases in the last five days compared to 314 in the five days before that and 211 in the five days before that. No matter how we look at the numbers they are moving in our favor, but we cannot rest as long as any Woodbridge residents continue to contract the virus and become ill.”

McCormac, in his report, acknowledged International Flavors and Fragrances, The Hematology and Oncology Group of New Jersey, and an individual for their monetary contributions and donation of supplies.

The mayor continues to urge neighbors to check on people who live alone and cannot leave their homes.

For more COVID-19 information, visit covid19.nj.gov. Visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for local information.

For Middlesex County information visit discovermiddlesex.com/covid19/ or www.middlsexcountynj.gov/covid19.

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