Full Notification

Fellow Leonians:

There are several important updates I’d like to provide to you today, as well as to reinforce some of the key areas I’ve covered previously.
 
Current Status

• Current Cases: 
  • New Jersey (2,844): As of this afternoon, there are 2,844 presumptive positive or positive cases in New Jersey; this represents an increase of 587 from Saturday to Sunday, and 930 from Sunday to Monday.
  • Bergen County (585): Of the total cases shown above, 585 are reported to be in Bergen County.  This represents an increase of 95 cases from Saturday to Sunday, and 128 from Sunday to Monday. 
  • Leonia (6):  Leonia has six cases, including one that was identified overnight. The latest patient is hospitalized; the remaining five are at home and in quarantine.

As the number of tests continues to increase, we will continue to see a commensurate increase in the number of positive cases statewide, as well as in Bergen County and, unfortunately, in Leonia.
 
Updates/New Information

• Increased Enforcement – Stay at Home/”Shelter in Place” Order: During today’s briefing, Governor Murphy indicated that he, through the Attorney General’s office, is allocating additional resources to ensure people strictly adhere to his order that all New Jersey residents stay at home/”shelter in place,” except for essential trips outside of their homes. All Leonia residents MUST remain in their homes, except for reasons as outlined in Saturday’s communication. You can get full details by clicking on this link: https://www.leonianj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/109/179
• Town-wide Conference Call: 405 people registered for last night’s town-wide conference call, and 317 participated. In addition to the information that was provided, there were many questions asked and answered, on a variety of topics. A recording of the call will be posted on the Leonia website within the next 24 hours, and we are planning additional calls as we move forward.
• Leonia Cares Assistance Program: The Leonia Cares Assistance Program is just about ready to launch. As a reminder, we need LOTS of volunteers to serve as Block Captains, ensuring that seniors, those with disabilities and others who cannot leave their homes have the ability to obtain groceries, prescriptions, and that they are staying in good health. To sign up to volunteer, please visit the following link: https://forms.gle/ykQZMLpK4jfJKRmj7.  We also need young people (ages 18-25) to assist with obtaining the groceries for those who are being assisted, as well as picking up prescriptions. This is a VERY important program; I urge all Leonians to strongly consider assisting. NOTE: the program will be implemented utilizing all social distancing and sanitary best practices; there will be no person-to-person interaction between volunteers and those being assisted.

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:  Mandatory for ALL residents, except for certain essential activities. Additional details can be found here: https://www.leonianj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/109/179. 
• Exercise and Social Distancing: All Leonians are encouraged to get outside regularly, both for physical and mental well-being. If you choose to go for a walk or run with neighbors or friends, please remember the following social distancing protocols:
  • Do not participate in games with friends (indoor or outdoor), if they involve utilizing any shared items (i.e. basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs, softballs, etc.).
  • All who are participating should always remain at least six feet apart from each other.
  • If you approach others while you are out for a walk, cross the street or take other action to avoid getting closer than six feet to other people.
• Ongoing COVID-19 Information:  As a reminder, it is VERY important that people carefully review any information provided to them about COVID-19. It is HIGHLY recommended that you obtain your information ONLY from one of the following sources:
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC):  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
  • New Jersey State Department of Health: https://covid19.nj.gov/ 
  • New Jersey State Department of Health telephone hotline:  1-800-222-1222
  • Borough of Leonia website:  https://www.leonianj.gov
• Flushing Toilets: Please remember that you should NOT flush anything other than toilet paper. Flushing wipes, feminine products, etc. could (and often will) result in pipes and/or sewers backing up. We have already seen several issues of this type; please be responsible, and discard in household garbage any items other than toilet paper.

I know that everyone will start to get a little “stir crazy” as we progress through this period of mandated isolation; I urge all Leonians to ensure that you take the time to virtually interact with family and friends through phone calls, Facetime, Whatsapp, Skype, Houseparty, or whatever other platform you prefer. In addition, you’re encouraged to get outside (using proper social distancing and sanitary guidelines) and get exercise.
 
Most importantly – please stay positive! This is a difficult, stressful time for everyone – but we’re all in it together! Let’s all be there for one another – and please continue to be reassured that your municipal government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of all Leonia residents.
 
Judah Zeigler
Mayor
Borough of Leonia
[email protected]