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.

MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS

County Executive Hughes said that people who are interested in assisting their community during a crisis should consider joining the Mercer County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

The Mercer County MRC unit invites any licensed health care professional, professional or retired, who lives or works in Mercer County and any community volunteer who lives or works in Mercer County who has an interest in health and emergency preparedness issues to join. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources to prepare for and respond to emergencies at a local level. All volunteers receive free training.

Sign up to be an MRC volunteer by creating an account on the New Jersey Learning Management Network. CLICK HERE for instructions. For more information, contact Stephanie Mendelsohn at 609-989-6898 or smendelsohn@mercercounty.org.

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

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.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

CURRENT STATUS

The New Jersey Department of Health on March 13 announced 21 more presumptive positive cases, bringing the total of presumptive positive cases in the state to 50, with one death. (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 most presumptive positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 15; Mercer County has one. State officials reported there were 80 pending tests at the state lab. They said they do not know how many tests are pending at private labs. In addition to the Mercer County case announced today, a 62-year-old Burlington County man who tested presumptive positive works at a cardiac care center in Robbinsville that has been closed for enhanced cleaning, the Robbinsville Office of Emergency Management reported.

The CDC on March 13 announced a total of 1,629 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 41 deaths, with 46 states and the District of Columbia 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.

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.