Dear Residents & Business Owners:
As of earlier today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Jersey surged to 427, with 5 deaths. This surge was expected as we get further into the outbreak and the expanded testing capability.
As reported yesterday afternoon, the first Gloucester County cases were confirmed as two medical professionals residing in Glassboro. The 59-year-old male doctor is currently quarantined at Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill and reportedly is undergoing treatment and improving. His wife, a nurse, is self-quarantined at home since she is currently asymptomatic (showing no symptoms).
On the home front, our Harrison team is all-hands-on-deck with our employees maintaining township services and responsibilities. They are doing a great job and we are so proud of their ability to manage under these conditions. Though much of their current routine is being dictated by Federal, State or County directives, they are performing at a high level to support our community.
Our elected leadership team is dividing the various areas of responsibility to stay connected to resources and assistance being provided by the other government entities that can benefit our residents and business owners. Committeewoman Julie DeLaurentis and Committeeman Adam Wingate have taken the lead on preparation to provide assistance to our senior community and facilitate nutritional support for those in need as this crisis continues.
They are working in conjunction with the local organization, Your Place at the Table (YPATT), to promote a fundraising drive that will be advertised shortly. We know that both Harrison Township Elementary School and Clearview Regional have both already committed to maintaining their Lunch Programs for students. Julie and Adam have confirmed that Meals on Wheels will continue to function during this epidemic. And our local restaurants have offered to donate food for distribution, if needed; even as they face unprecedented business challenges. Personally, I am moved by their selfless support of this community.
On the Senior front, Julie and Adam are focused on preparing to support those residents that are already more susceptible to COVID-19 and may have difficulty in getting food or medication. They are integrating lists of community members to create a database, with the intent to make “check-in” calls with these residents, should the need arise. A core of volunteers, including our Active Adults 55+ group will support this effort. The American Legion Post 452 leadership have pledged their support and offered to help in anyway they can, as have individual community members who have reached out to us directly. All of this is a reminder of what an incredible community we live in.
I’ll end with two important items. First, as of today, we are officially closing our public parks until the Governor lifts the State of Emergency. This coincides with the social distancing protocols I have been repeating. I again emphasize how important this is and today I want to stress that these protocols extend to our school-age children who are now at home. Please limit their interaction with friends and neighbors in the same manner you are limiting yourself.
Lastly, you can help with our efforts to keep the community informed by sharing this update with your personal email list. For those receiving this update from a friend, go to Mullica Hill Connect homepage and register to receive these updates directly.
As always, we are …
Together for Harrison Township,
Lou Manzo
Your Mayor
