Mount Holly – Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson
announced at the Freeholder meeting Wednesday night that a Coronavirus Task
Force has been formed to coordinate measures appropriately and prepare for
health hazards of COVID-19, or Novel Coronavirus. The Task Force is charged
with managing the County response as well as coordinating with State and Local
efforts.
The Burlington County Coronavirus Task Force will be led by
Health Department Director Dr. Herb Conaway. Dr. Conaway is a practicing physician
of internal medicine with more than twenty years clinical experience. Dr.
Conaway also serves as Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee in
the New Jersey General Assembly.
The Coronavirus Task Force will consist of several members of
the Health Department, Public Safety and Office of Emergency Management. There
will also be representatives from the Freeholder’s Office and Virtua Health.
The Burlington County Health Department has been actively
monitoring the COVID-19 situation since it emerged in early January. The Task
Force will continue to work with all of its local partners on existing plans
and control measures to prepare for further spread in Burlington County.
The Task Force will continually update hospitals, first
responders, school administrators and other partners regarding their needs and
protocols to ensure we are focused on limiting the spread of disease and are
prepared for eventual cases.
Prevention:
- Residents can protect themselves and their families by practicing good respiratory hygiene, much as they should during flu season. These include:
- Washing your hands often, using hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Stay home from school or work if sick (must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours)
- Maintain a distance of 6 feet from people with respiratory symptoms
- Clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets and cellphones
- Residents over the age of 60, especially those with existing medical conditions that include heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, should reconsider going to large gatherings such as worship services, movies, malls, sporting events, etc. and using mass transportation
- Follow the CDC’s travel recommendations regarding travel to countries with sustained transmission. Current travel recommendations can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
- Defer cruise ship travel at this time.
The most up to date information on the virus can be found on the County’s Health Department website at: http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1845/2019-Novel-Coronavirus-Information.
If anyone has questions about the Coronavirus, contact the New Jersey
Department of Health Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.The hotline is open 24/7 and can
answer questions in multiple languages.