WOODBRIDGE – Woodbridge officials reported 13 new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the township to 1,443, according to Mayor John McCormac in his daily report on May 9.
The St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility reported an additional positive COVID-19 case, which brings the total to 48. 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.
“No matter how we look at it every average we analyze is better than the similar period before it,” McCormac said.
Township officials have contacted 665 residents, who tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly 78% are recovered and just more than 11% are in the recovery phase. Officials were not able to reach the remaining 11%.
“Not only are the number of new cases slowing down, but the vast majority of prior cases are successfully defeating COVID-19,” he said.
The township has lost 45 residents from COVID-19, plus 15 residents from St. Joseph’s Nursing Home.
Colonia Cares is a group of high school students from Colonia High School [CHS], who 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.
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 said it is “highly unlikely that the fireworks show [at the Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park in Sewaren] will occur as planned in early July.” Township officials are seeking alternative dates in the late summer or early fall. Summerfest 2020, which was scheduled for June 6 is rescheduled for September 5.
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.
The mayor continues to urge neighbors to check on people who live alone and cannot leave their homes and to continue to follow the rules and guidelines for social distancing, good personal hygiene, proper disposal of trash and avoiding non-essential travel. He also continues to warn residents of potential fundraising scams for COVID-19.
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.
