Two Village of Ridgewood Residents Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19)

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village manager put out the following detailed email as to the Village of Ridgewood status during the coronavirus outbreak:

As you are probably aware, two Village residents have been confirmed with coronavirus, which was sent out in a recorded phone message last night, by Mayor Hache. Please be aware that the safety of the Village residents and Village employees is the top priority for the Village Council and me.  Please continue to watch your emails, listen to the recorded phone messages, and read your text messages from the Village of Ridgewood, in addition to visiting the Village’s website, www.ridgewoodnj.net, for updates.  The information about coronavirus is found by clicking on the red banner, at the top of the homepage of the Village website.  There are links there for the Center for Disease Control, the NJ Department of Health, and by clicking on “Coronavirus Information” at the top of the Village website, it indicates what you should do to be tested for coronavirus, as well as providing other important information.  The NJ Department of Health has set up a hotline, to answer questions about COVID 19, which is: 1-800-222-1222. The Village has also set up an email address: infocovid19@ridgewoodnj.net to provide resources to answer your COVID 19 questions.

A Proclamation of Local Emergency has been signed by the Village of Ridgewood’s Emergency Management Coordinator, which has led to closures of Village buildings and properties.  Please click here to read the Proclamation of Local Emergency.  The following steps in the Village of Ridgewood have been taken at this time:

• Previously, all public schools in Bergen County were closed by the County Executive, from March 16 – 27, 2020.
• In order to protect our Village employees, as well as those coming into Village offices, the Village Hall, The Stable, and all Village offices will be closed to the public, with Village staff working, beginning on March 16, 2020, until further notice.  The Police Desk, on the second floor of Village Hall will be open to the public.  We encourage you to email us or call the Village Hall at 201-670-5500 for assistance.  Many of our services are available on-line, through the Village website.
• Village Recycling and Garbage collection will continue as scheduled. Please note that garbage collection be picked up curbside only, until further notice.
• Village Council, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings will take place, but we encourage the public to stay home and watch the meetings on Optimum channel 77, Verizon Fios channel 34, or livestreaming on the Village website or on Youtube.  The public may call into these meetings during Public Comment time(s) on the agendas (which are posted on the Village website), by calling 201-670-5500 ext. 253.
• All Building Department inspections have been postponed, except for new construction, outdoor inspections or total renovation of houses where no one is living in the house.  All Water Department metering crews will work on emergencies only.
• All non-essential Village Board and Committee meetings have been suspended until further notice.
• The Ridgewood Public Library is closed from March 16-27, 2020.
• Municipal Court – Persons scheduled to appear in the Ridgewood Municipal Court to contest a parking or traffic ticket or violation of a Ridgewood ordinance from March 16-27, 2020, should not appear and should await a notice of a new court date.
• All recreational programs in the Ridgewood Community Center have been cancelled until further notice.
• The senior bus has been cancelled until further notice.
• All school and recreational sports and sports practices have been cancelled.  All public and Board of Education recreational fields, all school grounds, all tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, and playgrounds within the Village of Ridgewood are closed, and all organized sports activities within all municipal and Board of Education parks/fields, as well as recreational activities run by the Village of Ridgewood or Board of Education are hereby postponed until further notice.

Please reserve calls to 911 for emergencies only.  For other than emergencies, you may call the non-emergency number for the Ridgewood Police Department 201-652-3900.

If you do need to call 911 for any Emergency Services from the Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services/Ambulance, in addition to providing your name, address and nature of the emergency.  PLEASE notify the dispatcher if ANYONE in your home has travelled from Europe or Asia recently or may have been exposed to COVID-19 or is exhibiting flu like symptoms.  This notification will lead our First Responders to taking the proper precautions, prior to arrival at your home.

You can expect that all responses to emergencies will always be without hesitation by the First Responders, and the excellent standard of care and compassion provided to all those in need remain the same. Please don’t be alarmed by the Responders use of masks, goggles, gloves and possibly a protection suit. This is for everyone’s protection and safety.

Please feel safe in knowing that Ridgewood Emergency Services follows the EMS guidance issued by the CDC, appropriate public health authorities and EMS medical direction. We ask that any family members provide their own transportation to the hospital and not ride in the ambulance.

All first responders practice the recommended personal cleaning procedures, as well as the proper isolation/disposal of contaminated effects. The equipment and vehicle are cleaned and disinfected after each patient call, regardless of any possible exposure.

Also keep in mind the following common sense practices:

• Wash your hands frequently. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Be mindful of contact with persons who may be suffering from a respiratory illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid large gatherings, and remind your young adults in high school or who are home from college, to avoid places where large groups congregate.

Please check on your neighbors, and if they don’t have access to technology, please share this information with them.