OLD BRIDGE – Old Bridge officials reported nine new positive COVID-19 cases, which brings the total number of positive cases to 713 in the township, according to Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry in his daily report on April 29.
The township has lost 33 residents to COVID-19, according to Middlesex County.
Township officials announced they will partially reopen three of Old Bridge’s largest parks, Veterans, Geick and Mannino, as a trial run following Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement to reopen parks across the state on April 29. The parks will open daily for passive recreation from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 2.
“We want to partially reopen a few township parks to give residents the opportunity to safely go outside,” Henry said. “We understand the need for some residents to leave the house in order to receive fresh air and get exercise.”
The mayor had closed all municipal parks on April 8 after the governor’s initial directive to close state and county parks.
All patrons, including children, must wear a mask and maintain a distance of six feet from others. Walking and jogging is permitted. Gathering on the lawn and organized sports are not allowed. Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash. Garbage must be properly disposed.
Playgrounds, fields, courts, dog parks and all other recreation equipment will remain closed as well as restrooms and indoor facilities. The parks will be closed outside of operation hours.
In addition to the state’s official website, covid19.nj.gov, residents can text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text messages and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.
To help sort out the rumors around the virus, in a joint effort by the New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center, division of the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, a website has been established to combat rumors and disinformation regarding the virus. The COVID-19 Rumor Control and Disinformation website is njhomelandsecurity.gov/covid19.
The Old Bridge Township Office of Emergency Management is still looking for supplies to support township police, fire and first aid including N95 masks, surgical masks, Tyvek suits, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. Anyone able to donate supplies can call OEM Deputy Coordinator Mike Petschauer at 848-565-1324 or email mpetschauer@oldbridge.com.
The Old Bridge Food Bank is seeking donations. Two bins will be set up outside at 1 Old Bridge Plaza for non-perishable food donations.
For more information about COVID-19 related matters in Old Bridge, visit oldbridge.com/COVID and its social media pages.
For Middlesex County information on COVID-19 information visit discovermiddlesex.com/covid19/ or www.middlsexcountynj.gov/covid19.
