Hamilton, NJ – On Friday morning, the Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System (CDRSS) alerted the Hamilton Township Health Department that we have one (1) new positive COVID-19 case, bringing the total cases to three (3) in town. Additionally, there are eight (8) residents who have test results pending. The new positive case is a 63-year-old male who is currently in the hospital, but doing well.  The other two residents that have tested positive for COVID-19 are self-isolating at home, and recovering well.

While many members of the public have questioned where the individuals who have tested positive work and locations they have frequented, this information is protected by confidentiality laws (HIPAA) and prevent the Township from releasing certain details to the public.  Please know that our Health Department has been diligently working to conduct comprehensive investigations for each positive case. Anyone who was in close or direct contact with the individuals who have tested positive is contacted by the Health Department to inform them that they have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Given that certain individuals may not exhibit symptoms within the first few days of having COVID-19, we advise all residents to operate with the assumption that when you leave your home, that anyone could have COVID-19. Because of this, it is absolutely necessary to practice physical distancing at all times.  Remember to maintain a distance of about 6 feet from others, avoided crowded public places, practice every day prevention measures like frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes.

We know that staying at home and limited physical interaction is difficult, but is a critical part in doing everything we can now to flatten the curve to keep people safe and save lives. We know that COVID-19 can have very serious consequences for our vulnerable populations, especially our seniors, and ask that you keep them in mind in the coming days and weeks. We will get through this together and we will be stronger for it.

For general questions about COVID-19 please contact the New Jersey Department of Health’s call center at 1-800-962-1253. The call center is open 24/7 and has multi-language capacity.