TEANECK PRESS RELEASE

March 12, 2020

  To:       All Township Residents
From:   Dean B. Kazinci, Township Manager

  COVID-19 UPDATE

The Township of Teaneck continues to monitor the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout our region. As Manager, I have an imperative to do everything possible to slow the spread of this serious virus and protect those who are most vulnerable. This is a difficult and extraordinary situation, and I recognize that people throughout our community, including our workforce, are concerned for their personal health and that of their families and friends.

Teaneck currently has eight (8) presumptive positive cases of the COVID-19 virus.

As you are aware, Governor Murphy declared a State of Emergency, and Public Health Emergency to strengthen state preparedness to contain the spread of COVID-19. County Executive James Tedesco also declared a State of Emergency earlier this week.

The Township’s Health Department is working closely with the NJ Department of Health to monitor the situation closely. Staff continue to proactively respond to any cases that may be identified in our area. The Health Department has fielded hundreds of calls and emails from our residents for guidance and direction.

My office continues to have daily meetings with command staff to provide them with the latest information on the COVID-19 virus to include how it is spread; symptoms; risks; workplace safety; prevention; and, treatment. I remain in contact with the Township’s OEM coordinator, Holy Name Medical Center, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. for preparedness purposes. I am confident Teaneck is prepared for this crisis and we will do everything possible to keep our residents and workforce safe.

Today, Governor Murphy released a statement based on guidance from the Commissioner of Health. Governor Murphy is recommending the cancellation of all public gatherings throughout New Jersey of more than 250 individuals. These measures are being taken as part of a coordinated response to the continued outbreak, and to aggressively mitigate the spread of the virus.

No matter the size of the event, I can’t stress enough how important it is to practice commonsense hygiene like washing your hands aggressively, staying home if you are sick, and keeping a social distance space of six feet.

Again social distancing works and it’s the best way to flatten the curve and prevent the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus.

I made several important decisions over the past two days that will further help protect our workforce and community in mitigating the spread of the virus.

My office released a COVID-19 Pandemic Plan for Township operations to our workforce today. The plan was developed to assist the Township in responding to and conducting operations during a potential Coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

In an effort to protect those members of our community at the highest risk for complications of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as the health of our workforce, the Township has cancelled all Senior activities, as well as all recreational programs, including open gym, at the Rodda Center.  The junior sports athletic programs have cancelled their upcoming practices and games until April 1st.

Vantage Health, the Township’s social services provider, will continue to operate without disruption.

All scheduled Court sessions in the Teaneck Municipal Court have been cancelled until further notice.

The Teaneck Library will be closed to the public starting Friday, March 13th. This decision was reached to protect the staff from potential exposures to COVID-19 out of an abundance of caution. The Library’s website will reflect when the Library will reopen.

I have cancelled all non-essential meetings. The website calendar will reflect the cancellations of the various Boards and Commissions.

Effective the week of March 16th, and until further notice, the municipal building will be closed on Friday’s. All staff will work a Monday through Thursday schedule. Hours of operation will be from 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Hours of operation on Tuesday will remain 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Rodda Center will follow the same schedule.

Again, these actions will help to mitigate the spread of the virus and allow the Township’s maintenance staff to completely clean and sanitize the buildings when closed. This schedule will remain in place until further notice.

All emergency services remain on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There will be no interruption of schedule for the Department of Public Works.

Teaneck is a resilient community and I’m confident, with the leadership in place of your Council, Manager’s Office, Department Heads, and Emergency Personnel that we will get through this crisis together.

While there is still much to learn about COVID-19, residents should remain calm and vigilant in their personal efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and monitor the Township’s website at www.teanecknj.gov for updated information.

As a reminder, the New Jersey Department of Health has established a 24-hour telephone hotline for residents who may have concerns or questions: 800-222-1222.

Download link: 3/12/20 Press Release Regarding COVID-19

Download here: RCBC Update Mar. 12, 2020

Covid-19 3/11/20 Press Release

The Township of Teaneck continues to monitor the spread of the Coronavirus  (COVID-19) throughout our region. As Manager, I have an imperative to do everything possible to slow the spread of this serious virus and protect those who are most vulnerable. This is a difficult and extraordinary situation, and I recognize that people throughout our community, including our workforce, are concerned for their personal health and that of their families and friends.

Teaneck currently has three (3) presumptive positive patients with the COVID-19 virus. Patient one is a 70 year old male who was admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey. Patient two, a 30 year old male and patient three, a 44 year old male, were both admitted to Holy Name Medical Center.  Their conditions are unknown.

In an effort to protect those members of our community at the highest risk for complications of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as the health of our workforce, the Township will be cancelling all Senior activities at the Richard Rodda Recreation Department, and all scheduled Court sessions in the Teaneck Municipal Building until further notice. This is the prudent and responsible action to take which protects our workforce and community from the spread of COVID-19 until it is under control. I want to exercise an abundance of caution for our most vulnerable members of the Teaneck community. 

In addition, the Teaneck Public Library will be rescheduling or cancelling all large scale events until the end of March. We will be promoting remote digital services to reduce the volume of patrons that use the facility. Please monitor the Library’s website, https://teanecklibrary.org/, for up to date information on the cancellation of programs.

The Township will be cancelling all non-essential meetings to include advisory boards and commissions.

These are just the first steps I’m taking to insure we minimize the risks and spread of the disease. 

The Township’s Health Department continues to work closely with State Health Officials to determine any further circulation within our community.  

The Township’s maintenance staff continues to sanitize and disinfect common areas throughout our municipal buildings. My office continues to hold regular meetings with department heads and our Office of Emergency Management to provide them with up to date information on the virus. The Township remains in daily contact with the school superintendent, as well as officials from Fairleigh Dickinson University and Holy Name Hospital. We are encouraging residents, whenever possible, to conduct all business with the Township online.

My office will be releasing a COVID-19 Pandemic Plan for Township operations today. The plan was developed to assist the Township in responding to and conducting operations during potential Coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

While there is still much to learn about COVID-19, residents should remain calm and vigilant in their personal efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and monitor the Township’s website at www.teanecknj.gov for updated information.

As a reminder, the New Jersey Department of Health has established a 24-hour telephone hotline for residents who may have concerns or questions: 800-222-1222

Link to 3/11/20 Press Release

What you need to know about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

UPDATE #2: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-2019) with Audio of Conference Call

Please note that the Township will be providing more information as it becomes available and this post will be updated accordingly.

UPDATE #2: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-2019) with Audio of Conference Call

What you need to know about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Community Update on Coronavirus

This evening, (March 5, 2020) the Township of Teaneck will be hosting a Community Update conference call on the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Please join Township Manager Dean Kazinci, members of Council, Health Officer Ken Katter, School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Irving, and representatives from Holy Name Hospital to discuss the latest status of the virus, preventative measures, and important contact information that will help to answer all of your questions and concerns.

To participate by telephone, please call 563-999-1684 at 8:00 PM.

You will automatically be connected to the conference call. A recording of the conference call will be made available on the Township’s website Friday morning. Thank you.

The audio of the conference call is now available here:

Update #2

There are currently zero confirmed cases of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-2019) in Teaneck. As per NJ Department of Health (NJDOH), societal risk is low at this time. There is no need to cancel school events, activities, etc. and there are no restrictions on public gatherings. Please be advised that schools, places of worship, sports leagues, etc. may exclude individuals who have recently returned from level 3 countries or had direct/close contact with an infected person.

As the COVID-2019 situation develops, the Teaneck Health Department is proactively handling the matter by conducting risk assessments, monitoring those under self-quarantine, checking the disease surveillance database, etc. The Teaneck Health Department follows directives in accordance with the CDC and NJDOH. Any new information/updates will be posted on the Teaneck website (under home news/health news). We urge our residents to remain calm, and not spread fear/panic. In light of factors such as commuter population, proximity to NY, and more recently the situation in Fort Lee, we are continuing to work closely with local and State officials as this matter evolves.

Teaneck Health Department would like to remind residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the flu, common cold, and all respiratory viruses.  Our priority is to reduce the spread of infection by protecting the health of children, adolescents, and adults. Therefore, the Teaneck Health Department continues to stress basic infection prevention activities such as:

• Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (especially after coughing or sneezing)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, and not into the hands or into the air (also cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues and dispose of them properly)
• Avoid contact with ill people and if you are ill, stay home from work or school; limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
• Clean surfaces that are frequently touched (such as toys, doorknobs, tables, counters, etc.) regularly with a disinfectant solution

Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office and/or emergency room. Special arrangements can be made for you to be evaluated while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection. Medical staff will evaluate you to see if you are eligible for testing (based on CDC clinical criteria for COVID-2019 PUIs) and NJDOH will review/approve such request.

**For those who attended events at the Temple Young Israel in New Rochelle, NY on February 22 and 23: if you have received notification from the Westchester County Health Department (WCHD) to be placed under self-quarantine, please heed the WCHD instructions on that recommendation. Or if you/your family had direct/close contact with the confirmed infected person and did not receive notification, please reach out to WCHD at: 866-588-0195 (WCHD hotline for people under self-quarantine or exposure to known case).**

For more information about Coronavirus, contact your health care provider or visit the following websites:
NJDOH – General Information Page – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
FAQs – Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-2019) FAQs.pdf
CDC – General Information Page – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC – COVID-2019 Fact Sheets: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html

Travel (due to the rapidly changing situation, see travel recommendations which are subject to frequent updates): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
For general questions, residents are encouraged to call the COVID-2019 hotline: 1-800-222-1222

To contact the Teaneck Health Department: 201-837-1600 ext. 1500 or health@teanecknj.gov