Montclair Coronavirus Deaths Reach 10, Health Officials Say

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair town officials released the latest coronavirus infection statistics on Friday, noting that 10 local residents have now died as a result of the illness.

According to the Montclair Health Department, as of Friday afternoon, there have been 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the township. Officials said 10 people have died.

“All who passed away had underlying health conditions; nine were in long-term care facilities,” Montclair health officials said.

There were 41 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Montclair on Thursday and 38 cases on Wednesday.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold, as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in late 2019, which leads to the disease called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. Medical complications can include pneumonia, organ failure and in some cases, death. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Adults 65 years or older, and people who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk from COVID-19. Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults.

Currently, there is no reason to believe that animals, including pets, may be a source of infection or can become sick with COVID-19, the CDC says.

Here’s what to do if you suspect you may have COVID-19, according to the CDC.

The best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol (if soap and water aren’t available).

The CDC also recommends staying at home when you’re sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue (then throwing the tissue in the trash), and cleaning/disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

People should also practice “social distancing,” which includes keeping at least 6 feet of space from others if possible.

Garden State residents who have questions about the virus can contact the state of New Jersey's hotline at (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

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