Full Notification

Fellow Leonians:

There are just a few COVID-19 updates I’d like to provide to you today, as well as to reinforce critical areas which have been communicated previously.
 
Current Status

• Current Cases: 
  • New Jersey (890): As of this afternoon, there are 890 presumptive positive or positive cases in New Jersey; this is an increase of 148 from yesterday.
  • Bergen County (249): Of the total cases shown above, 194 are reported to be in Bergen County.  This represents an increase of 55 cases from yesterday. 
  • Leonia (3):  Leonia now has three (3) positive cases, all of whom are doing well and are at home. Initially, a fourth case was incorrectly reported as a Leonia resident; however, that case involved someone who was visiting a family member, and the impacted individual lives outside of Bergen County. We are aware of at least one other case that is presumptively positive, but has not yet been reported through the State database.

There are a significant number of tests which have been administered by Bergen County’s hospitals, but for which results have not been received. Thus, we can expect to continue to see large increases in the number of cases, each day, for some period of time.
 
Updates/New Information

• Bergen County Drive-Up Testing Center: The new FEMA testing center located at Bergen Community College opened at 8:00 AM on Friday morning; as anticipated, it quickly reached capacity, and thousands of people were turned away. The center will process a maximum of 350 tests/day. As a reminder, you must be a New Jersey resident and have active symptoms in order to be tested at the center. If you are feeling unwell, you are strongly encouraged to contact your healthcare provider, rather than driving to the center.
• Response to Request for Personal Protective Equipment:  We had an outstanding response from our community to our request for various items of personal protective equipment (PPE), both in terms of direct donations as well as identification of companies from which we were able to purchase additional supplies. Thanks to everyone who responded!
• Business Closures:  The Governor has indicated that there is a strong likelihood that, within the next 24-48 hours, he will issue additional directives requiring the closure of all “non-essential” businesses, until further notice. We will provide details of these closures when they are made available to us; in the meantime, all Leonians are STRONGLY urged to remain in their homes, except to obtain food or medicine, or to receive medical attention. This is the best way to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of the virus.

Important Information and Reminders
 
Following are important reminders and information:

• Quarantined:  All Anna C. Scott School students and Staff, as well as Leonia Middle School students who attend SACC at ACS, and SACC staff working at ACS, should be in a self-quarantine period, through March 27, 2020.
• Shelter in Place:  While not mandatory, it is HIGHLY recommended that all other Leonians shelter in place in your homes, limiting your time outside, and practicing proper social distancing and sanitary procedures.
• Social Distancing: When you are not in your home, you should remain at least six feet away from any non-family member not living with you.
  • If you want to go for a walk or run with your neighbor or friend, that’s fine; however, make sure that you remain six feet away from them at all times.
  • Playing catch, using neighbor’s play equipment, or using anyone else’s items for shared exercise should be avoided. For example, if you are standing six feet away from someone, but playing catch, you are sharing with each other whatever is on the ball that you are using (including, potentially, the COVID-19 virus), which completely negates the effectiveness of social distancing.
• School Updates: The Leonia Public Schools have been doing an excellent job keeping their school community updated; all updates regarding the Leonia Public Schools will continue to come through those channels.
• Virtual School Closure – Wednesday, March 25: As previously indicated, on Wednesday, March 25, there will be no distance learning conducted through the Leonia Public Schools. This does NOT mean that students should leave their homes, or congregate within homes with visitors. PLEASE observe proper social distancing and sanitary protocols, to protect both students as well as those with whom they live.

I have no doubt that people are probably getting tired of seeing some of this information over and over; however, the simple fact is that we are still seeing too many instances of people ignoring the necessary social distancing guidelines that have been put in place. This puts EVERY Leonian at an increased risk – so please do your part by observing all of the social distancing, quarantine and/or shelter in place guidelines that have been issued to you. Our goal is simple; to protect the health and safety of all Leonians.
 
Finally, don’t forget your neighbors; while the Leonia CARES assistance program details are being finalized, call, email or text your neighbors (especially the elderly and those with disabilities), and ensure that they have enough food and medicine, and are not feeling in any way unwell. If this is the case, they should immediately contact their healthcare provider.
 
Thanks again to everyone who is doing their part to slow the spread of the virus; if you observe a neighbor or resident not doing so, take the time to remind them of the need to be part of the solution, by observing social distancing and sanitary guidelines.
 
We will get through this – together – and at this time, I am VERY grateful to live in a community where we all care so deeply about one another.
 
 Judah Zeigler
Mayor
Borough of Leonia
[email protected]