Coronavirus - COVID19 - Information on May 12th, 2020

Updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Ewing Township Mayor, Bert Steinmann, Board of Health, and The Department of Public Health understand at this time that our residents are concerned about the Coronavirus.  We want to assure our residents that we share your concerns. We are diligently working with State and Federal Health Officials to provide you with the most current and accurate information.  We will continue to keep you updated as more information is provided.  For updated information please continue to monitor our website and the state and federal resource links provided.

State of New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub | CDC Coronavirus Response Page | Mercer County's COVID-19 Situation Summary Page

Ewing Twp. Public Schools

CURRENT STATUS

May 12th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on May 12  announced 898 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 140,743 with 9,508 deaths. Mercer County has had 5,426 positive cases, with 349 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 12 announced 18,106 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of  positive cases in the United States to 1,342594 with 80,820 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes advises residents to remain on alert for Internet scams, including those that prey on workers facing hardships due to occupational loss and furloughs, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. 

“With people looking for job opportunities while sheltering at home, Internet employment scams have become more prevalent,” Mr. Hughes said. “Please stay vigilant and do not fall victim to phishing campaigns and other unscrupulous activities.”

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness’ Division of Cybersecurity reported that a scam recently surfaced involving employment ads offering teleworking opportunities. After the victim acquires an interview and is given an offer of employment, they are prompted to complete various forms, such as a W-9 and direct deposit. The scammer is then provided with all the details required to drain bank accounts and steal the victim’s identity.

The Division of Cybersecurity urges jobseekers to research potential employers and businesses prior to providing sensitive information, and reminds people to exercise caution when opening unsolicited emails and to confirm details via an alternate means of communication.

The New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Task Force, a joint federal-state effort to investigate and prosecute unlawful and misleading activities related to COVID-19, has provided recommendations to avoid common COVID-19 related scams. Residents are encouraged to report possible misconduct through a hotline established by the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721.

For additional information:
• New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness: COVID-19 Rumor Control and Disinformation Updates
• New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: COVID-19 Resources for Consumers
• New Jersey Department of Labor: Unemployment Insurance Fraud Alert

May 11th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on May 11  announced 1,453 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 139,945 with 9,310 deaths. Mercer County has had 5,393 positive cases, with 340 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 10 announced 26,660 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of  positive cases in the United States to 1,300,696 with 78,771 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

It’s not too late to complete your 2020 Census form! It's safe and easy, and it’s your opportunity to bring education, health care, housing and political power to your community.

People across America are keeping their families and communities safe and healthy by staying home, or serving the public by providing essential services. Responding to the Census yourself — is another way to do your part and help keep your community strong. 

If the paper form you received in the mail doesn’t work for you, you can respond online or by phone. There are so many ways to count yourself in the 2020 Census -- don’t wait! To respond online, visit https://my2020census.gov/login; to respond by phone, call 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).

May 5th, 2020

Mercer County, in collaboration with health care and municipal partners, is operating an appointment-only, drive-up test site for COVID-19 at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence, and appointment-only walk-up test sites in Trenton for individuals who lack transportation to the mall location.

Beginning May 8, an appointment-only, walk-up test site will be open in Hightstown for individuals who lack transportation to the mall.

Testing will be provided for symptomatic Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have an appointment. The Trenton Health Team, one of Mercer County’s partners on COVID-19 testing, put together the following Q&A on how to get tested. En Español

You must have a doctor’s order and an appointment to be tested

Do you have COVID-19 symptoms?
Symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, body aches or being tired all the time. Stay home and contact a doctor.

How do you get a test?
Contact a doctor to discuss how you feel. A doctor must order a test for you. If a test is needed, your doctor will fax a prescription to the Mercer County health call center at 609-630-4031, and the center will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Don’t have a doctor?
Call the Henry J. Austin Health Center in Trenton at 609-259-5900 to see if you need testing. They can help you to talk with a doctor by phone or video.

What if you don’t have health insurance? What do tests cost?
Henry J. Austin will serve all patients, including those without health insurance. There is no charge for the test at Mercer County testing sites.

Where do you get tested?
An appointment-only, walk-up test site will be open in Hightstown in the parking lot of St. Anthony of Padua Church, 156 Maxwell Ave., at 12 noon on Fridays beginning May 8. Mercer County offers appointment-only, drive-up testing every weekday at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence, and appointment-only, pop-up testing sites in Trenton for individuals who lack transportation to the mall location. The Trenton sites are open in each city ward one day a week. Everyone needing a test will be sent to a site. County residents with access to a car will be sent to the drive-through site at Quaker Bridge Mall.

Why do you need a doctor’s order?
Talking with a doctor will provide needed health information and help you understand what to do based on your test results. Mercer County is relying on doctors to decide who needs to be tested.

Questions?
If you have questions about the testing process, call 609-337-4081 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Español, call 609-436-5038 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The New Jersey Department of Health on May 5  announced 2,494 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 130,593 with 8,244 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 16,460; Mercer County has 4,743, with 280 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 5 announced 19,138 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of  positive cases in the United States to 1,171,510 with 68,279 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.. 

May 4th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on May 4  announced 1,621 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 128,269 with 7,910 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 16,282; Mercer County has 4,594, with 256 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 4 announced 29,763 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of  positive cases in the United States to 1,152,372 with 67,456 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

May 1st, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on May 1  announced 2,651 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 121,190 with 7,538 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 15,830; Mercer County has 4,077, with 239 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 1 announced 30,787 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of  positive cases in the United States to 1,062,446 with 62,406 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Dear Mercer County Community,

Many of you will head to County parks and golf courses this weekend for some much-needed fresh air and exercise now that the Governor has issued a new executive order permitting their reopening.

By all means enjoy yourselves if you do venture out. Outdoor exercise is important for everyone’s health and well-being, both physical and mental. But please act responsibly. The Mercer County Park Commission has posted a number of rules and regulations in accordance with Governor Murphy’s executive order, all of which are being implemented in the name of public health and safety. Foremost among them is the requirement that social distancing standards put in place by the governor be practiced at all times.

At County parks, only passive recreation will be permitted, which means “yes” to walking, running, biking, fishing and boating, and “no” to picnics, sporting and field events, and public gatherings of any kind. The four County golf courses will operate at reduced capacity with certain other restrictions. Information about park and golf course regulations can be found on the Park Commission and Mercer County websites. The Governor’s executive order does not require that face coverings be worn, but I join the Governor and Park Commission in strongly recommending it, again in the name of public health and safety.

We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to get back out in our public spaces. It’s a step forward. But if we don’t respect the restrictions that have been put in place, we risk taking a giant step backward.
The Governor has applied the same words of caution to the vision for “restarting” New Jersey that he released Monday.

His first key principle -- demonstrating sustained reductions in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations -- cannot be achieved without continued strict adherence to social distancing, which has proved to be an effective way to slow the spread of the virus.

We must continue to do our part by staying home as much as possible, practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering when out in public, and taking other everyday preventive measures if we hope to secure the level of public health necessary for the Governor’s plan to move forward.

Finally, I thank our heroic first responders and health care professionals for their unwavering commitment to battling the COVID-19 pandemic, and others on the front lines who are keeping our community functioning. And I thank everyone in our Mercer County community for your patience and perseverance during these unprecedented times. If we continue to work together, we WILL get through this crisis.

-Brian M. Hughes
-Mercer County Executive

April 30th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on April 30 announced 2,633 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 118,652 with 7,228 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 15,610; Mercer County has 3,937, with 231 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 30 announced 26,512 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of  positive cases in the United States to 1,031,659 with 60,057 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Following Executive Order No. 133 issued by Gov. Phil Murphy, the Mercer County Park Commission will reopen county parks and golf courses beginning Saturday, May 2, subject to certain restrictions.

County parkland and lakes will be open for the public and for passive recreation only. Permitted activities include walking, running, biking, fishing and boating. Dog parks, playgrounds and restrooms will remain closed to the public. Sporting and field events, picnics, public gatherings and all active recreation will not be permitted in the parks at this time. All park patrons must abide by social distancing standards put in place by the governor. Social distancing requirements will be strictly enforced.

All four County golf courses will reopen to the public and operate at reduced capacity. Golf carts will not be available; all golfers will only be allowed to walk the course while maintaining social distancing standards. Golf course clubhouses, restrooms, pro shops and driving ranges will remain closed. Tee time bookings and payments can only be made online through the golf website at https://www.golfmercercounty.com/tee-times/. In-person bookings and payments will not be accepted. Each day will have limited capacity for golfers. Registration for tee times will open on April 30 at 6 p.m.

Following public safety measures, use of facemasks is strongly encouraged in the parks and golf courses during this time.

For up-to-date information on the reopening of parks and golf courses, please visit www.mercercountyparks.org or www.golfmercercounty.com.

April 25th, 2020

Dear Mercer County Community,

Encouraging news has been in short supply in recent weeks, so it’s good to see that our commitment to practicing social distancing and other preventive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 is providing cause for optimism.

State officials report that the curve of new cases is flattening and the rate of spread appears to be slowing, but not nearly enough to begin easing restrictions put into place last month to keep residents safe. The Governor has said such action is still weeks away, and that certain benchmarks must be met before beginning to reopen the state, including greatly expanded testing.

In the meantime, we all know the drill. We have to keep doing what has gotten us to this point: staying home; practicing social distancing and wearing a cloth face covering when we must go out; and taking other preventive steps such as frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. Our community has done an extraordinary job of staying the course, and for that I applaud you. But it’s crucial that we continue that commitment.

I’d like to remind everyone that Mercer County, in collaboration with health care and municipal partners, is operating an appointment-only, drive-up testing site for COVID-19 at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence, and appointment-only pop-up testing sites in Trenton for individuals who lack transportation to the mall location.

More than 2,500 people have been tested since we began this effort at the end of March. We’ve been testing an average of about 160 people a day but we can accommodate more. The Trenton sites, which are open in each of the four geographical wards one day a week, have been underutilized, in part because many city residents scheduled for testing have gone to the mall location. But those who don’t have transportation can get tested close to home. If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 and want to be tested, contact your primary care practitioner. If you do not have a doctor, you can call the Henry J. Austin Health Center in Trenton to arrange for screening. Details about the testing process can be found on the Mercer County website and in the next item of this newsletter.

Finally, local businesses are the backbone of our community; please support them whenever possible. Many food establishments are offering convenient and safe takeout and delivery service, and other essential businesses have protocols they must follow to keep employees and customers safe. Just be sure to practice social distancing and wear a cloth face covering whenever you must be out in public.

Thank you again to our heroic first responders and health care professionals who have been working around the clock in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and others on the front lines who are keeping our community functioning. And thank you to everyone for making the sacrifices necessary to help slow the spread of this disease. If we continue to work together, we WILL get through this crisis.

-Brian M. Hughes
-Mercer County Executive

The New Jersey Department of Health on April 24 announced 3,047 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 102,196 with 5,617 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 14,363; Mercer County has 3,086, with 178 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information. 

The CDC on April 23 announced a total of 865,585 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 48,816 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. Total cases includes 2,937 probable cases and total deaths includes 5,365 probable deaths. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Mercer County, in collaboration with health care and municipal partners, is operating an appointment-only, drive-up testing site for COVID-19 at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence, and appointment-only pop-up testing sites in Trenton for individuals who lack transportation to the mall location. The Trenton sites are now open in each city ward one day a week.

Testing will be provided for symptomatic Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have an appointment. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 and want to be tested, contact your primary health care practitioner. If a test is needed, your doctor will fax a prescription to the Mercer County health call center at 609-630-4031, and the center will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you voice an inability to get to Quaker Bridge Mall, you will be offered an appointment at a Trenton pop-up site along with instructions on when and where to go. If you do not have a doctor, call an urgent care facility or call the Henry J. Austin Health Center in Trenton (609-278-5900) to arrange for screening.

For the health, safety and security of staff at the Quaker Bridge Mall testing site, patients will not be permitted to leave their vehicles. Walk-ups are not permitted at that testing location.

You must have an appointment to be tested. Those who show up at a testing site without an appointment will not be able to be tested.

If you have questions about the testing process, call 609-337-4081 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  

The testing sites are collaborative efforts between the County of Mercer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Capital Health System, St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, the Trenton Health Team, Henry J. Austin Health Center, the City of Trenton, Lawrence Township and Quaker Bridge Mall management.

If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides a self-assessment tool that will help you determine whether you should be tested. Visit self.covid19.nj.gov.

April 16th, 2020

St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton is one of three New Jersey medical facilities whose capacities are being expanded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Construction to convert portions of St. Francis Medical Center into a 37-bed facility began Tuesday after a contract was awarded Monday to Sand Point Services, LLC.

“Hospital capacity everywhere is a major concern as the COVID-19 crisis rages on, and these additional beds will greatly benefit Mercer County and the region,” County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. “We thank the Army Corps, FEMA and the State of New Jersey for planning and coordinating this project.”

USACE Philadelphia District is providing planning, engineering, contracting and construction management support to the State of New Jersey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address possible medical facility shortages due to COVID-19. The mission is part of a nationwide federal, state and local effort to respond to the public health emergency.

The USACE Philadelphia District also awarded contracts to East Orange General Hospital in East Orange to convert currently unused hospital space into a 250-bed facility; and to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus to convert the hospital’s gymnasium into a 30-bed facility, and to construct a 100-bed medical tent in one section of the hospital parking lot. Construction on those projects began between April 9 and 15.

In late March, the USACE Philadelphia District formed teams and began conducting facility assessments in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Department of Public Health. USACE provides the State with the assessments, which contain information on the possible conversion of existing buildings into alternate care facilities.

The USACE Philadelphia District has also provided engineering support related to the installation of pre-stocked, rapidly deployable Field Medical Stations at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus, the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison and the Atlantic City Convention Center.   

April 14th, 2020

April 11th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health announced that as of April 11 there are 1,434 positive cases of COVID-19 in Mercer County and 49 deaths. Contact tracing, including information gathering, is underway on the new cases and continuing on the remaining ones where needed. We expect that these numbers will continue to grow as more testing sites come online and we will continue to update the town-by-town statistics as information is verified. To view data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO

Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. 

Mercer County continues to recommend basic steps for residents. Whether you are ill or not, adhere to the Governor's Executive Orders and stay home. If you must leave your home, practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the Public on COVID-19:

Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Text: your ZIP code to 898-211 for live text assistance

Visit: www.covid19.nj.gov

April 9th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on April 9 announced 3,748 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 51,027 with 1,700 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 8,343; Mercer County has 1,161, with 36 deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/uuav5. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more statewide information. 

The CDC on April 9 announced a total of 427,460 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 14,696 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For more information about COVID-19 visit covid19.nj.gov or cdc.gov.

All the news about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be overwheming and scary for children. Make sure to provide them with accurate information to help calm their fears. Tips such as taking the time to talk, letting them feel in control, maintaining a normal routine, and keeping the conversation going can help children feel more secure and less scared. Click here to view a helpful infographic containing tips for talking to kids about COVID-19

lApril 7th, 2020

By executive order of Gov. Phil Murphy, all state and county parks will be closed for public use effective 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. This includes all park trails, entrances, parking lots, dog parks, lakes, docks and walkways. All parks, facilities and programming will remain closed until further notice.

For inquiries regarding Mercer County Park Commission facilities during the closure, please contact:
• Joe Pizza, Deputy Director, at 609-209-2931 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or
• Anthony Cucchi, Superintendent of Parks, at 609-306-0829 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or
• Visit the Park Commission website.

The New Jersey Department of Health on April 7 announced 3,361 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 44,416 with 1,232 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 7,533; Mercer County has 837, with 24 deaths. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more information. 

The CDC on April 7 announced a total of 374,329 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 12,064 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For more information about COVID-19 visit covid19.nj.gov or cdc.gov.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

March 29th, 2020

The CDC's travel advisory does NOT change the rules that we’ve been living under for the past week. The stay-at-home...

Posted by Governor Phil Murphy on Sunday, March 29, 2020

Mayor Bert Steinmann advises that due to the Coronavirus global pandemic outbreak the Hollowbrook Community Center remains closed to the public. However, to provide the necessary food to the township residents the Food Pantry will be open every Wednesday from 11am to 2 pm. In observance of the social distancing mandate everyone will be served outside of the building.

March 28th, 2020

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes today announced that the County, in collaboration with health care partners, will open an appointment-only, drive-up testing site for COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 31, at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence.

The testing center is by appointment only for symptomatic Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have a prescription from their primary health care provider (PCP). If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 and want to be tested, contact your PCP.

The testing center, which initially will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a collaborative effort between the County of Mercer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Capital Health System, St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton and the Trenton Health Team.

“Testing for COVID-19 is necessary to identify and isolate people with infections,” said Mr. Hughes. “When it comes to setting up a testing site, we face the same challenges as do other jurisdictions, such as securing testing kits and the personal protective equipment for staff. I thank the County’s Office of Emergency Management, our health care partners, Quaker Bridge Mall management and the leadership at Lawrence Township for clearing the hurdles necessary to get this site online.”

Mercer County has contracted with Bio-Reference Laboratories, which will provide testing for individuals who are symptomatic and have been scheduled through their PCP.

To be eligible for testing, an individual must be examined by a PCP. The PCP will determine the need for the test based on symptoms. No one should be tested without being symptomatic. If the PCP deems a test is necessary, they will fax a prescription to the Mercer County call center with the patient’s phone number. Staff will then call the patient, take registration information and schedule an appointment, providing testing site instructions.

For the health, safety and security of staff at the site, patients will not be permitted to leave their vehicles. Walk-ups are not permitted.

If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides a self-assessment tool that will help you determine whether you should be tested. Visit self.covid19.nj.gov.

March 26th, 2020

The New Jersey Department of Health on March 26 announced 2,492 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 6,876, with 81 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 1,206; Mercer County has 111. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard  for more information. 

The CDC on March 26 announced a total of 68,440 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 994 deaths, with 54 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For more information about COVID-19 visit covid19.nj.gov or cdc.gov.

If you receive a call from a scammer or suspect price gouging, please report it to the Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov.

Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire. Learn more about who is hiring in your community at jobs.covid19.nj.gov.

March 22nd, 2020

The State of New Jersey's COVID-19 Information Hub contains answers to many common Coronavirus response-related questions, and includes links to Governor Murphy's Executive Orders, health guidelines, a symptom checker and more. Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ for additional information or to find services to help citizens who have been impacted by COVID-19. To receive answers to general COVID-19 questions you can also call 2-1-1, 1-800-962-1253, or text NJCOVID to 898-211.

March 21st, 2020 

NJ Governor Phil Murphy announces Statewide Stay at Home order and Closure of All Non-Essential Retail Businesses.

To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect the capacity of New Jersey’s health care system for the state’s most vulnerable, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 107, directing all residents to stay at home until further notice. The order provides for certain exceptions, such as obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work, or engaging in outdoor activities.

For more information or to read additional remarks by the Governor visit covid19.nj.gov or click here.

March 20th, 2020

All Ewing Township Municipal Buildings and sites remain closed and are maintaining only a minimal staffing level. This closure is anticipated to be continue for at least the next two weeks. We also request all citizens to be aware of scammers who are trying to take advantage of people during this crisis. The CDC, Federal, State, or Local Health Departments are not going door to door about the Coronavirus. Remember to only rely on trusted or official news sources such as Ewing’s website, or the website of the NJ Department of Health, to help stop the spread of misinformation. The situation is changing frequently, and any updates to Ewing’s Emergency Declaration or additional business restrictions will be posted to our website. We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus situation around the State and Country, and will post updates to our website, Facebook, and via the Community Notification System as they are available.

March 19th, 2020

The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State of New Jersey to provide information to the public on COVID-19.

Call: 2-1-1

Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253

Text: NJCOVID to 898-211

Text: your ZIP Code to 898-211 for live text assistance

Visit: nj.gov/health for additional information

The State of New Jersey continues to operate the NJ State Department of Health 24-hour Information Hotline which is  available by calling 1-800-222-1222.

March 18th, 2020

In a continued effort to reduce any possible spread of the Coronavirus and to better follow Federal, State, and County guidelines all Ewing Township parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields will be closed until further notice. All Municipal Buildings and sites, including both the Bulk Dump Site and the Brush Drop-Off site, will remain closed, and all Township events and gatherings are cancelled. Police, Fire, and EMS will remain operational during this time. All citizens are urged to take this situation seriously and comply with all recommendations made by authorities, including social distancing and halting all unnecessary travel. If you have general questions about the Coronavirus the NJ State Department of Health 24-hour Information Hotline is available by calling 1-800-222-1222. Ewing Township will post updates and other important information to our website at www.ewingnj.org, Facebook, or by our Community Notification System. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience during this difficult time.

March 17th, 2020 

Mayor Steinmann reminds all residents that all Municipal Buildings remain closed and all Township events and recreational gatherings are cancelled until further notice.

Federal Guidance on slowing any possible spread of Coronavirus:

15 Days to Slow the Spread - Note that the latest recommendation is to avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people and avoid all discretionary travel. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf

Community Resources from the CDC:

How to Prepare - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html

Disinfecting Your Home If Someone Is Sick - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html

Manage Anxiety and Stress - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

March 16th, 2020

Effective immediately, Mayor Steinmann has declared a State of Emergency within Ewing Township, and all Ewing Township Municipal Buildings will be closed to the public until further notice. Ewing Township will be following all Federal, State, and Local directives and guidance regarding our Coronavirus response. Please visit our website for more information. We would like to take this opportunity to urge all citizens to remain calm, follow the suggestions of the authorities, and request that everyone be respectful of others during this current situation.

Our Police, Fire, and EMS services are essential and will continue to operate without disruption. Remember to only rely on trusted or official news sources such as Ewing’s website, or the website of the NJ Department of Health, to help stop the spread of misinformation. If you have general questions about the Coronavirus the NJ State Department of Health 24-hour Information Hotline is available by calling 1-800-222-1222. Ewing Township will post updates and other important information to our website at www.ewingnj.org, Facebook, or by our Community Notification System. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this situation.

Mayor's Proclamation of Local Disaster/Emergency

State of New Jersey Update

Governor Murphy Announces Aggressive Social Distancing Measures to Mitigate Further Spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey.  (Executive Order 104)  This includes, but is not limited to, limiting the size of gatherings to 50 people or fewer, school closings, closing of casinos, concert venues, nightclubs, racetracks, etc., closing of non-essential retail, recreational and entertainment businesses between 8 pm and 5 am and, limiting all restaurant establishments to offering delivery and take-out services only.  Full Details  


March 15th, 2020 

As of Sunday, March 15th, Mercer County has one confirmed case of COVID-19 in a resident residing in Princeton. The NJ Department of Health now maintains two numbers that residents can call to receive answers to general questions about COVID-19. Residents may now call both the NJ COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or call the Poison Center Public Hotline at 1-800-962-1253 where trained professionals are standing by to answer your call 24-hours a day, seven days a week.


March 13th, 2020 

Mercer County's first presumptive positive case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) was announced today by state officials and the Princeton Health Department, which is conducting the investigation. State officials report that there are now 50 presumptive positive cases statewide.

As reported by the Princeton Health Department, the individual is a 49-year-old woman who attended a private party in Princeton on Feb. 29 with two individuals from the Boston area who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. “This news was not surprising,” Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. “Most counties in New Jersey are now seeing presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, and we need to be prepared for more such cases in Mercer County. But there are steps we all can take to lower the risk of infection.”

Gov. Phil Murphy emphasized during a press conference today that social distancing, which includes maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others when possible and avoiding crowded public places, can help stop the spread of COVID-19. On Thursday, Mr. Hughes joined Gov. Murphy in recommending the cancellation of all scheduled public gatherings of more than 250 people, including concerts, parades and events. 

And Mr. Hughes continues to urge everyone to take everyday preventive actions, such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you’re sick, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

Ewing Township Update

The Centers for Disease Control and the NJ State Department of Health have made one of their most frequent recommendations to be using Social Distancing to help reduce any possible transmission of the Coronavirus.  We believe that this is sound advice, and we are requesting that all members of the Public make use of our online services where ever possible instead of coming to the Municipal Building in person. Our webpage, www.ewingnj.org, will allow residents to use the SDL Portal for Code Enforcement requests, pay your tax or sewer bill online, access ordinances and Council Meeting documents, and more. Effective Monday, March 16th only the front main entrance to the Municipal Building will be open to the public from the hours of 7 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday only, and all other entrances will be closed. If you chose to visit the Municipal Building you may be asked to sign in and provide some basic contact information.

We realize the inconvenience this may cause to our citizens, but we firmly believe that together, we can work to lessen any possible impact this virus might have in the area, and Ewing Township will continue to work tirelessly to provide the best service in the safest way possible for everyone. Additionally, Ewing Township has opened an after-hours Health Information Hotline active each day from 4:00 pm until 8:30 am at 609-538-7588 that citizens can call for questions or concerns regarding the Coronavirus. During normal business hours please call the Ewing Township Health Department at 609-883-2900 extension 7691. We will continue to provide updates as they become available on our website, Facebook, or by our Community Notification System. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.

Ewing Township Municipal Court
Sessions are cancelled for the weeks of March 16th and 23rd.  Announcement.


March 12th, 2020

Ewing Township Update

We strongly encourage all organizations with gatherings of ten or more people in close proximity to reschedule or postpone those events until further notice, or consider alternative methods which would maintain social distancing. Effective immediately Ewing Township is postponing all Township-sponsored community events, recreation programs, senior activities, venue rentals, and public Board and Commission meetings. All scheduled evening and weekend activities at both Ewing Senior Community Center and Hollowbrook Community Center are cancelled until further notice. The Ewing Senior and Community Center office hours will be Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm, closed on Saturday and Sunday. The Hollowbrook Community Center office hours will be Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed on Saturday and Sunday.

This decision was not taken lightly, but we believe that out of an abundance of caution these and other measures will help slow any possible spread of the virus. Ewing also strongly encourages the following specific common sense guidelines: wash your hands frequently using soap and water for at least twenty seconds, use non-contact methods of greeting people, create habits and reminders to avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and stay home if you feel sick or have a sick family member in the home. The New Jersey Department of Health has opened a 24-hour Hotline which can be reached by calling 1-800-222-1222, and we will continue to post regular updates to our website and Facebook when we have new information available.

Mercer County Update

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes today issued an executive order declaring a countywide state of emergency to help coordinate the local response to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. 

Executive Order 2020-01 authorizes all necessary county agencies to take appropriate action to assist municipal governments in containing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from this COVID-19 outbreak, and it follows Gov. Phil Murphy's direction in recommending cancellation of all scheduled public gatherings of more than 250 people, including concerts, parades and events.

“We understand that our residents are concerned about this rapidly evolving situation, and we’re determined to take whatever steps are necessary to minimize the risks for the people of Mercer County,” Mr. Hughes said, adding that the County is following all infectious disease guidelines and protocol as provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The executive order also allows Mercer County and its municipalities to seek federal reimbursement for extraordinary measures.

Mr. Hughes said that while issuance of the executive order is a necessary step, the CDC reports that for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low, and there is no cause for alarm. He urged everyone to continuing taking everyday preventive actions to keep themselves healthy.

CDC Update

The CDC has released guidance on what every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of the Coronavirus. These common sense guidelines include handwashing, using non-contact methods of greeting, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and others. Click here to view the full informational pamphlet .


March 9th, 2020 

As part of the state’s coordinated response to address the novel coronavirus outbreak, Governor Phil Murphy today declared a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency, effective immediately, to ramp up New Jersey’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order No. 103 declares a state of emergency and public health emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey, allowing state agencies and departments to utilize state resources to assist affected communities responding to and recovering from COVID-19 cases.

“The State of New Jersey is committed to deploying every available resource, across all levels of government, to help respond to the spread of COVID-19 and keep our residents informed,” said Governor Murphy. “My Administration will continue to work closely with our federal partners to ensure that local health agencies on the front lines of the state’s response are equipped with the resources needed to further prepare our health care system for a broader spread of COVID-19.”

The declaration tasks the State Director of Emergency Management and Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, Colonel Patrick Callahan, in conjunction with New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner, Judith Persichilli, to oversee the implementation of the State Emergency Operations plan and generally direct the State’s emergency response.

Additionally, the declaration triggers other executive powers and safeguards, such as prohibiting excessive price increases pursuant to New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act and the ability to waive certain procurement procedures to expedite the delivery of goods and services necessary for coronavirus preparedness and response efforts.

Governor Murphy’s emergency declaration also empowers all State agencies, specifically the Departments of Banking and Insurance, Health, Human Services, and the Civil Service Commission to take all appropriate steps to address the public health hazard of COVID-19.


March 6th, 2020

The CDC on March 6 announced a total of 164 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 11 deaths, with 19 states reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases, and the first three presumptive positive cases in New Jersey were announced by state officials March 4, 5 and 6. (A presumptive positive case means the sample tested positive for COVID-19 at a state lab and has been sent to the CDC for confirmation.) The first individual, a male in his 30s, has been hospitalized in Bergen County since March 3. The second individual, a female Bergen County resident in her 30s, has mild symptoms and is isolating at home until the New Jersey Department of Health deems her medically cleared. The third individual, a male in his 60s, has been hospitalized in Camden County since March 3 and is in stable condition. As of March 6, there are no known COVID-19 cases in Mercer County. 


March 5th, 2020

The CDC on March 5 announced a total of 99 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 10 deaths. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020, but does not include the first two presumptive positive cases in New Jersey, which were announced by state officials March 4 and 5. (A presumptive positive case means the sample tested positive for COVID-19 at a state lab and has been sent to the CDC for confirmation.) One individual, a male in his 30s, has been hospitalized in Bergen County since March 3. The second individual is hospitalized at Englewood Hospital in Bergen County. As of March 5, there are no known COVID-19 cases in Mercer County. 

The federal government has been working closely with state and local partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat. Unprecedented, aggressive efforts have been taken to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of this virus.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. CDC will continue to update the public as circumstances warrant.  For more information about COVID-19 visit www.mercercounty.org/covid-19.  


COVID-19 symptoms-cough

SYMPTOMS

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Call ahead to a health care professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread. Tell your health care professional about your recent travel or contact. Your health care professional will work with the State Health Department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

For more information on preventing the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html


Coronavirus -- cover coughs and sneezes

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Everyone can play a part in responding to this emerging, rapidly evolving public health threat. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine and taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs. This includes:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect recently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For information about handwashing, see the CDC’s Handwashing website.


BE ALERT TO CORONAVIRUS-RELATED SCAMS

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes urges residents to watch for price gouging and other consumer scams related to fears surrounding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Scammers will take advantage of people’s fears during a public health threat,” he said. “Consumers need to be cognizant of that and not fall victim to unscrupulous behavior.”

Mr. Hughes said that anyone who suspects a scam related to COVID-19 in Mercer County, such as price gouging on products like hand sanitizer, or the selling of bogus products claiming to prevent or cure COVID-19, should contact the Mercer County Division of Consumer Affairs/Weights & Measures at 609-989-6671 or visit the Division online for information on how to file a complaint. Suspected incidents in other jurisdictions in New Jersey can be reported to the State Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6200 or 1-800-242-5846 or visit https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

24-Hour Public Hotline -- 1-800-222-1222. Trained health care professionals are standing by to answer your questions about COVID-19. The call is free.

For handouts and posters on the coronavirus to share with your coworkers, family and friends, please visit the CDC at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html 

Information for Travel. As of March 17th, the CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to China, Iran, Most European Countries, the UK and Ireland. Updated travel information specific to COVID-19 can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html