GLEN ROCK, NJ – Today, Wednesday, March 4, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-5) released the following statement:

“I am monitoring this presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Bergen County, and I continue to be in close contact with hospital officials and local and state leaders on the matter. I’m continuing to work with North Jersey hospitals, health facilities, and communities, and I’ve offered support of whatever they need to treat patients afflicted with this virus and to help make sure this outbreak is contained. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan emergency legislation to immediately address the coronavirus outbreak and help keep North Jersey families safe. This bill provides emergency funding for a robust response to the crisis, including support for state and local health agencies, and vaccine and treatment development. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation in coming days.”

Governor Phil Murphy released the following announcement this evening concerning the individual, a male in his 30s, hospitalized in Bergen County since March 3.

“My Administration is working aggressively to keep residents safe and contain the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey,” the governor. “We take this situation very seriously and have been preparing for this for weeks. I urge residents to remain calm and use resources from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control to prepare and prevent the spread of infection. Safeguarding the public’s health is one of my highest priorities and my Administration is prepared to respond swiftly to any additional positive cases of COVID-19 here in New Jersey.”

The presumptive positive result came from a sample tested by the New Jersey Department of Health at the New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) and is now being submitted to the CDC for confirmatory testing. State and local public health authorities are proceeding with the public health investigation and response activities as if this was a confirmed case. The hospital is working closely with the Department of Health and continues to follow all infectious disease protocols. Working with the local health department, the New Jersey Department of Health is tracing close contacts of this individual and is taking appropriate public health actions. The investigation is underway and more information will be released when it becomes available.

“Any case of novel coronavirus in our state is concerning, however most New Jersey residents are at very low risk of contracting COVID-19,”said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “The Department is working closely with the CDC and local health officials to respond to this case and is monitoring the evolving situation across the nation.”