Full Notification

 
The South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management is providing the latest information in reference to virus activity in our community. The Covid virus has become more widespread throughout the Township in the past week. The majority of people who have tested positive report mild to moderate symptoms and some report having no symptoms. 

Covid Activity since Christmas -

• The Middlesex County Health Department indicates 176 new South Brunswick Covid cases.
• The South Brunswick School District reports 97 students and staff with Covid.

 
Flu Activity Report –
New Jersey Department of Health reports influenza activity level is high statewide.

• Emergency Department visits and Outpatient provider visits associated with influenza-like illness are higher than last week and higher than this same week last year

 
EXPECTATIONS
While the majority of the cases remain mild, the number of those who may need hospital care will tax our health system. Currently, there are 3,273 people hospitalized from Covid. Officials hope that the peak of the omicron wave will be over by early February. Health officials believe the most challenging times will be the next 5 to 6 weeks.

The increased cases will reduce the workforce. Many employers already have reported worker shortages. This may require some businesses to make decisions about reduced hours or closures until enough staff return.

CHANGING GUIDANCE
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its guidance on Monday for when people who test positive can return to work.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

• Stay home for 5 days.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
 

WHAT YOU CAN DO -
We know more about the virus than we did before.

1. Stay Home if You Are Sick – As Christmas approaches do not go to events or family gatherings if you are ill.  Here is the link for NJ State Covid testing information - https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing  Ridgewood Labs is conducting testing in the parking lot on Route 27 / Finnegans Lane.
2. Maximize Protection – Get vaccinated and a booster shot. Vaccines continue to show great strength against COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. Here is the link for NJ State Covid testing information https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine. 
3. Wear Masks – While there is no State mask mandate; mask-wearing, especially indoors is the smart thing to do. If you are passing through an airport or train station this Christmas season, you are undoubtedly being exposed to someone with omicron at this point. Wearing an N95 mask indoors provides the best protection. 

“We will continue to work with State and County health officials to stay on top of the changing information and guidelines,” said OEM Director Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management will use our Nixle as well as our Twitter account @SoBrunswickPD to provide information on the Omicron spread and its impact locally.
 
Data Links:
South Brunswick School District Covid -19 Daily Dashboard - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15TzWP1o_kVtF47b0kM3gLRqEgeUFUdgOwx7cdR9g9v8/edit#gid=1537691167
 
Middlesex County Total Cumulative Coronavirus Cases
https://discovermiddlesex.com/total-cumulative-cases/

 
 
 

Instructions:

(1) STAY HOME IF SICK (2) GET VACCINATED (3) WEAR A MASK