WOODBRIDGE – Woodbridge officials reported nine new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the township to 1,430, according to Mayor John McCormac in his daily report on May 8.
“[The number of new cases] is actually our second lowest number over the last 40 days since the end of March,” he said. “We have averaged less than 14 cases per day for the last six days compared to an average of over 35 daily cases since April 1. Let’s keep up the good work by social distancing, wearing masks indoors, practicing good personal hygiene and staying home.”
The St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility positive COVID-19 cases remain at 47. The township is reporting statistics from the nursing home separately.
The residents at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home devastated by COVID-19 were initially counted in the township’s statistics before residents were moved to another facility out of town on March 25. On April 16, residents started moving back home after a massive cleaning effort. On May 4, the last resident has moved back to the facility.
The township has lost 45 residents from COVID-19, plus 15 residents from St. Joseph’s Nursing Home.
McCormac, in his report, continues to urge social distancing at parks. Playground equipment is off limits and organized games or practices are not allowed.
The mayor warned residents of fundraising scams asking people for money to purchase meals or supplies for first responders and health care workers. He said other than the township’s school Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and student groups, “nobody else is really authorized to be soliciting contributions.”
He noted legitimate fundraising groups include Colonia Cares, a group of high school students from Colonia High School [CHS]. The students came together to sell T-shirts and lawn signs. All the proceeds are turned into gift cards from local stores and restaurants, which are then donated to local food banks as well as Woodbridge Social Services.
On May 16, CHS students will be at the Evergreen Senior Center, 400 Inman Ave., giving out T-shirts and collecting non-perishable food items, pet food and supplies, and other donations of masks and gloves.
The CHS students are also calling township seniors to check in on them during the pandemic. Woodbridge High School (WHS) has partnered with Colonia Cares to form Woodbridge Cares. The WHS students will announce their collection dates soon.
The soup kitchen at Trinity Episcopal Church, 650 Rahway Ave., in Woodbridge is open again from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday for a hot lunch to go.
Keep Middlesex Moving, a non-profit transportation management association, challenges people to ride their bike during the month of May and they will donate food to the We Feed Woodbridge food banks. For more information visit the township’s website or www.kmm.org.
The township has extended the grace period for the May 1 property tax bills from May 10 to May 31. The state only granted permission for the action on April 28 so the township could not act until this week’s Township Council meeting, McCormac said.
A list of virtual religious services is on the township’s website.
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.
