News Flash

August 22, 2020

• 0 Active Cases in BH!

By the Numbers:

• 809 new cases in New Jersey; 189,236 total
• 16 new cases in Union County; 16,967 total
• 17 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,114 total
• 3 new deaths in Union County; 1,186 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 0 active cases
  • 293 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 293 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 376 people remain hospitalized
• 66 people are in critical condition
• 32 people are on ventilators

Indoor Highschool Fall Sports Postponed - The NJSIAA has announced a 4 season plan for sports. Fall indoor sports have been pushed to Season 3, which will begin on February 16th. Multi-sport athletes will still be able to participate in all of their sports.

Power Companies Will End Moratorium in October - The moratorium against service shutoffs by power companies will end on October 15th. Customers may receive a notice starting on September 15th to pay their bills. 

Students Contract COVID-19 At Party - A party at the Jersey Shore has resulted in several high school students testing positive for COVID-19. Please continue to exercise social distancing and practice proper health protocols. 

Pick Up the Phone - Governor Murphy urges residents to pick up the phone when called by a contact tracer. Over half of individuals phoned have not picked up, which makes it harder to protect public health.

New Fund to Support NJ Arts and Culture - The New Jersey Arts and Cultural Recovery Fund has raised over $1.6 million to support NJ arts and culture groups. Applications will be announced in the following weeks.

100+ NJ School Districts Go All-Remote - Over 100 school districts have now announced an all-remote learning plan.  For a list of NJ school districts that are planning to go all-remote this fall, check out the following article.

August 19, 2020

• 0 active cases in BH!
• Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program is now open!
• Alaska and Delaware added to NJ Quarantine Advisory

By the Numbers:

• 660 new cases in New Jersey; 188,427 total
• 19 new cases in Union County; 16,921 total
• 20 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,097 total
• 1 new death in Union County; 1,183 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 0 active cases
  • 293 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 293 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 471 people remain hospitalized
• 92 people are in critical condition
• 32 people are on ventilators

Updated Quarantine Advisory - Governor Murphy has readded Delaware and Alaska on the quarantine advisory. The new state list: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and Wisconsin. All individuals travelling to NJ from these states should self-quarantine for 14 days.

Parents Rally for In-Person Classes - With more school districts declaring an all-remote learning plan, some parents have rallied for in-person classes. 

NJ School Districts Go Remote - For a list of NJ school districts that are planning to go all-remote this fall, check out the following article. Several school districts in Union County such as Plainfield, Springfield, and Elizabeth, are going all-remote. 

Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program - Applications are now open for the Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program. Small residential property owners may be reimbursed for lost rent revenue due to COVID between April and July. To receive assistance, they are required to forgive the late fees of their tenants. 

What’s Reopening - For a summary of the arts/entertainment venues and other recreational destinations throughout NJ, please read the following article. 

August 17, 2020

• Governor Murphy has announced his approval of fall outdoor high school sports. The NJSIAA will make the final decision soon.
• NO CHANGE in BH active cases 

There is 1 active case in Berkeley Heights. Please wear masks in Berkeley Heights AND when travelling, and practice proper health protocols. For tips on how to stay safe, check out the #StayWellSummer from the New Jersey Hospital Association. 

By the Numbers:

• 603 new cases in New Jersey; 187,767 total
• 11 new cases in Union County; 16,879 total
• 13 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,077 total
• 1 new death in Union County; 1,182 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 1 active case (0 VPI, 1 community)
  • 292 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 293 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 472 people remain hospitalized
• 91 people are in critical condition
• 38 people are on ventilators

All-Remote Learning Schools Can Have Sports - Outdoor high schools sports can still occur this fall, even if the school pursues an all-remote learning option. Indoor fall sports like girls volleyball and gymnastics will not be initially allowed to resume. NJ will not mandate that schools must have fall sports. The NJSIAA will have the final say over sports.

New Providence High School Students Test Positive - Two students from New Providence High School have tested positive for the coronavirus. They have been excluded from school activities until the isolation period ends. 

Every Active Voter to be Mailed VBM Ballot - Governor Murphy has signed an executive order requiring election officers in each county to send a vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot to active registered voters for the general election in November. The state also intends to launch an online voter registration system for new voters on September 4th.

Some New Jersey Bars Improve Social Distancing - Some New Jersey bars have enforced social distancing and mask wearing, which has made bars much safer. Some of the bars that have refused to improve their health protocols have been shut down. 

Volunteer and Donate - For a list of organizations in NJ that could use your support during this pandemic, please check out the following article. 

August 14, 2020

• BH has 1 new active community case

There is 1 new active case in Berkeley Heights. Please wear masks in Berkeley Heights AND when travelling, and practice proper health protocols. For tips on how to stay safe, check out the #StayWellSummer from the New Jersey Hospital Association. 

By the Numbers:

• 1,226 new cases in New Jersey; 187,164 total
• 16 new cases in Union County; 16,827 total
• 18 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,064 total
• 1 new death in Union County; 1,181 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 1 active case (0 VPI, 1 community)
  • 292 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 293 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 514 people remain hospitalized
• 91 people are in critical condition
• 40 people are on ventilators

More Schools Say They Will Go Remote - After Governor Murphy’s announcement that all-remote learning is allowed for schools who cannot meet safety guidelines, multiple school districts have now requested to operate all-remote. Berkeley Heights is currently planned to operate on a hybrid system in which 50% of students go to school.

NJ Colleges to Receive $150M- NJ is granting $150M to colleges and universities to offset the costs from the pandemic. The funding, which is provided by the federal CARES Act, will pay for online learning, modifying college facilities, and cleaning supplies.

NJ Working Towards Reopening Gyms/Indoor Dining - Governor Murphy’s administration is currently in discussions with reopening gyms and indoor dining. If numbers continue to improve, the state hopes to reopen them soon. 

NJ Needs Help Bridging Digital Divide - About 90,000 students are without consistent access to the Internet or an electronic device suitable for learning. Even with the state’s plan to bridge the gap, Governor Murphy has acknowledged it is not enough.

What’s Reopening - For a summary of the arts/entertainment venues and other recreational destinations throughout NJ, please read the following article. 

August 12, 2020

• Hawaii and South Dakota have been added to the quarantine advisory list. Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island have been removed.
• Small Landlord Emergency Program announced to reimburse lost rent revenue due to COVID-19
• Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program
• NO CHANGES in BH active cases!

By the Numbers:

• 907 new cases in New Jersey; 185,938 total
• 30 new cases in Union County; 16,780 total
• 21 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,046 total
• 0 new deaths in Union County; 1,180 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 0 active cases
  • 292 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 292 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 592 people remain hospitalized
• 111 people are in critical condition
• 35 people are on ventilators

Updated Quarantine Advisory - Governor Murphy has added two states on the quarantine advisory. The new state list: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and Wisconsin. All individuals travelling to NJ from these states should self-quarantine for 14 days.

Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program - Small residential property owners may be reimbursed for lost rent revenue due to COVID between April and July through the Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program. To receive assistance, they are required to forgive the late fees of their tenants. Applications open on August 19th and close on August 26th. For further specifics on who qualifies, check out the following article.

Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program - Governor Murphy’s new PPE Access Program will help small businesses/nonprofits purchase personal protection equipment.  A state website will also be set up to provide information for businesses and allow online retailers to sell PPE equipment. The program expects to support $45 million in PPE purchases for small businesses. 

Micro Business Loan Program - Under the program, $10 million is available for financing of up to $50,000 for businesses and nonprofits with ten or fewer full-time employees and less than $1.5 million in annual revenues. Loans through this program will have a 10 to 15 year term, with 2% interest and no payments for the first three years.

NJ’s New School Reopening Plan - Governor Murphy has announced that NJ schools can go fully-remote if they cannot meet the safety guidelines needed to keep both teachers and children safe. Currently, Governor Livingston is planning to have 50% of students be at school as opposed to all-remote learning.

Long Term Care Facilities To Get $155 Million - The state will be investing $155 million to long-term care facilities. The majority of the money is for increasing caregiver wages and increasing testing staff, which will allow them to fully reopen quicker.

Computer Labs at College Reopen - Computer labs at college are now allowed to reopen. Face coverings, social distancing, and cleaning protocols in the lab are mandatory. 

August 10, 2020

• BH Active Cases now 0!
• NJ Announces Plan to Fully Reopen Long-Term Care Facilities

By the Numbers:

• 970 new cases in New Jersey; 185,031 total
• 30 new cases in Union County; 16,725 total
• 18 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,025 total
• 2 new deaths in Union County; 1,180 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 0 active cases
  • 292 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 292 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 545 people remain hospitalized
• 83 people are in critical condition
• 29 people are on ventilators

Visits for Long Term Care Facilities - The State Health Commissioner has issued a comprehensive plan to reopen long-term care facilities to visitors. At phase zero, essential, COVID-negative caregivers will be allowed to visit once a week for two hours. As LTC facilities safely advance through the phases, they can allow more people for longer periods, eventually fully reopening.

Details on Reopening Schools - Governor Murphy has clarified the exceptions for the mandatory mask rule in school. For specifics, check out the article.

Murphy Threatens to Shut Down Bars - Due to a lack of mask wearing and social distancing, Governor Murphy is threatening to shut down bars if customers continue to ignore health protocols. 

Contact Tracers Having Difficulty - Contact tracers contacted less than 2/3rd of potentially infected COVID-19 patients. The state urges residents to pick up the phone and respond to contact tracer calls. 

Indoor Dining Still Too Risky - Citing a study from China, Governor Murphy has deemed it still too risky to reopen indoor dining. Even though the transmission rate has now dropped below 1, Governor Murphy requires lower numbers before reopening anything new. 

Understanding the Numbers Behind Murphy’s Plans - For the numbers as to why Governor Murphy reverted to a 25 person indoor gathering limit, read the following article. 

August 8, 2020

• New Emergency Aid Program for landlords of small rental apartments
• BH Active Cases have fallen to 1

By the Numbers:

• 734 new cases in New Jersey; 184,061 total
• 22 new cases in Union County; 16,636 total
• 18 new deaths in New Jersey; 14,007 total
• 1 new death in Union County; 1,178 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 1 active cases (0 VPI, 1 community)
  • 291 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 292 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 540 people remain hospitalized
• 94 people are in critical condition
• 34 people are on ventilators

New Emergency Aid Program - On Friday, Governor Murphy introduced a new $25 million emergency aid program for landlords of small rental apartments who have not received the rent from their tenants from April to July. These landlords will be required to cancel the back rent that their tenants owe. 

Trump Announces Executive Order - President Trump has signed an executive order granting $400 a week in unemployment benefits. The president also extended a moratorium on evictions, waived interest on student loans, and gave workers who earn less than $100,000 and their employers a payroll tax holiday until the end of the year.

NJ Spends $23.5 Million on Contact Tracing - NJ is spending $23.5 million to hire 1,200 contact tracers to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Contact tracing involves interviewing those who have tested positive about their close contacts, and then notifying those contacts about being tested.

Pressure on Murphy to Start NJ Schools Remote Only - Teacher unions, school boards, and more have recently increased the pressure on Governor Murphy to have NJ schools start remote only as they claim conditions remain unsafe.

New Unemployment Claims Reach Lowest Levels - About 16,573 workers in NJ filed for unemployment, the lowest ever during the pandemic. Since mid-March, nearly 1.5 million workers in NJ have filed for unemployment. 

NJ Transit and Coach USA to Help Riders - DeCamp buses have recently halted service due to low ridership. As a result, NJ Transit and Coach USA will honor DeCamp tickets on certain trains and buses throughout August to help riders.

NJ COVID Bulletin - The state of NJ has published this bulletin for COVID-19 updates. 

What’s Reopening - For a summary of the arts/entertainment venues and other recreational destinations throughout NJ, please read the following article. 

August 5, 2020

• Rhode Island is now on the quarantine advisory. Delaware has been removed.
• NO CHANGES in BH active cases

By the Numbers:

• 713 new cases in New Jersey; 183,327 total
• 28 new cases in Union County; 16,605 total
• 18 new deaths in New Jersey; 13,989 total
• 0 new deaths in Union County; 1,177 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • NO CHANGES
  • 3 active cases (0 VPI, 3 community)
  • 289 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 292 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 784 people remain hospitalized
• 117 people are in critical condition
• 47 people are on ventilators

Updated Quarantine Advisory - Governor Murphy has added Rhode Island on the quarantine advisory and removed Delaware. The new state list: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. All individuals travelling to NJ from these states should self-quarantine for 14 days.

Should You Send Your Child Back to School? - Health experts advise parents to look closely at their district’s plan as to how it will deal with infections, contact tracing, mask requirements, and classroom/hallway protocols before deciding to send their child back to school. 

MVC Clears 55% of Backlog - The NJ MVC has eliminated 55% of the backlog. While wait times may still remain long, visitors will be able to arrive late morning, get a ticket, and return on the same day upon receiving a text from the MVC. Starting on August 10th, the MVC will administer CDL knowledge tests.

Remote Learning Gets Mixed Reviews - For information about a survey given to NJ families on remote learning, check out the following article. 

COVID-19 Outbreaks Linked to House Parties - House parties have been linked to the spread of the virus. It is recommended to avoid house parties and instead gather outside and practice proper social distancing. 

Public Employees Given Immediate Access to State Health Program - Any public employee will now be eligible for the State Health Benefits Program immediately upon hire. 

What’s Reopening - For a summary of the arts/entertainment venues and other recreational destinations throughout NJ, please read the following article. 

August 3, 2020

• BH has an 1 new active community case
• Indoor Gathering Limits have fallen to 25 people, with exceptions for weddings/funerals/political events

There are now three active cases in Berkeley Heights. They are young adults who have traveled outside of NJ. Please wear masks in Berkeley Heights AND when travelling, and practice proper health protocols. For tips on how to stay safe, check out the #StayWellSummer from the New Jersey Hospital Association. 

By the Numbers:

• 264 new cases in New Jersey; 182,614 total
• 17 new cases in Union County; 16,590 total
• 10 new deaths in New Jersey; 13,971 total
• 0 new deaths in Union County; 1,177 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 3 active cases (0 VPI, 3 community)
  • 289 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 292 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 738 people remain hospitalized
• 144 people are in critical condition
• 49 people are on ventilators

Masks Required at All Times at School - Governor Murphy has declared masks mandatory for students at school. There will still be “mask breaks”, and parents are advised to mask train their children. 

Indoor Gathering Rules Scaled Back - The limit for indoor gatherings has fallen down to 25 people, with exceptions for weddings, funerals and religious and political events. The goal is to prevent house parties from becoming virus hotspots. 

August 2, 2020

• No changes in BH COVID cases for the past 2 days
• NJ MVC written tests to resume Monday

While there have been no changes in BH COVID cases, the state transmission rate has risen to 1.49. Please continue to wear a mask outdoors, exercise social distancing, avoid house parties and large crowds, wash your hands, and practice other health protocols.

By the Numbers:

• 690 new cases in New Jersey; 182,350 total
• 30 new cases in Union County; 16,575 total
• 17 new deaths in New Jersey; 13,961 total
• 1 new death in Union County; 1,177 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • NO CHANGES for the past 2 days
  • 2 active cases (0 VPI, 2 community)
  • 289 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 291 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 695 people remain hospitalized
• 113 people are in critical condition
• 45 people are on ventilators

Transmission Rate Climbs to Highest Level - The rate of transmission for the virus has risen to 1.49, meaning each new case is leading to 1.49 new cases. Young adults have seen the highest increase in positive tests, which have been linked to house parties.

Governor Murphy Extends Public Health Emergency - Governor Murphy has signed Executive Order 171 to extend the public health emergency for 30 days in NJ.

School Board Chooses Plan A - The Berkeley Heights Board of Education has chosen Plan A. Schools will be open for 5 days a week, 4 hours a day. Masks will be required, and social distancing will be enforced. Parents will have the option to have their students learn remotely by informing the district by August 17th. 

13% of NJ Tenants will Get Rental Relief - Only 8,000 of 60,000 people were selected for the $100 million rental relief fund. If money is left over, more renters will be able to receive relief. It is not known whether the relief fund will be expanded to help more renters.

How to Volunteer and Donate - For a summary as to how to volunteer and donate in New Jersey during the pandemic, read the following article.

Coronavirus by County and Town - For a summary of COVID cases and deaths in each town in NJ, check out the following article.

July 31, 2020

• Berkeley Heights is reporting 2 new active cases
• NJ MVCs are resuming written tests on Monday
• Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota have been added to the quarantine advisory. There are now 36 states on the quarantine list.

There are two new active cases in Berkeley Heights. They are young adults who have traveled outside of NJ. Please wear masks in Berkeley Heights AND when travelling, and practice proper health protocols. For tips on how to stay safe, check out the #StayWellSummer from the New Jersey Hospital Association. 

By the Numbers:

• 1,657 new cases in New Jersey; 181,660 total
• 67 new cases in Union County; 16,523 total
• 30 new deaths in New Jersey; 13,944 total
• 4 new deaths in Union County; 1,176 total
• Berkeley Heights:
  • 2 active cases (0 VPI, 2 community)
  • 289 closed cases (137 recovered from LTC, 55 LTC deaths, 4 community deaths)
  • Total of 291 cases

Hospitalizations:

• 695 people remain hospitalized
• 113 people are in critical condition
• 45 people are on ventilators

Updated Quarantine Advisory - Governor Murphy has added three states on the quarantine advisory. The new state list: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. All individuals travelling to NJ from these states should self-quarantine for 14 days.

New Bill to Jail Maskless Indoor Shoppers - State lawmakers have introduced a bill to set 30 day jail sentences and $500 fines for individuals who refuse to wear masks while shopping indoors. The goal is to encourage people to wear masks and reduce the spread of the virus.

NJ MVCs to Resume Written Tests - Next Monday, the written driver tests will be available to all student drivers  and those seeking commercial licenses. Appointments should be made for the test.

Transmission Rate is Highest in 3 Months - The virus’s transmission rate in NJ has spiked to 1.35. Part of the spike is due to house parties among young adults. Please continue to wear a mask and practice proper health protocols. 

Relief Programs to Expire Unless Congress Acts - Programs including enhanced unemployment benefits, eviction protection, and small business relief will expire soon without intervention from Congress.

NJ Transit Buses Going Back to Cash – NJ Transit will resume collection of cash fares and front door boarding on buses that have protective barriers installed around the driver beginning August 3rd. Cash fares and front door boarding will remain suspended on buses that don’t yet have the barrier. 

What’s Reopening - For a summary of the arts/entertainment venues and other recreational destinations throughout NJ, please read the following article. 

Click here for the updates from July 2020

Governor Livingston student Desmond Lam contributed to these reports.