The Township of Lyndhurst has its first Coronavirus patient. In a letter dated March 17, Mayor Robert B. Giangeruso made the announcement.
“Unfortunately, we regret to announce that at approximately 6:45 p.m. this evening (Tuesday, March 17), we were notified of our first presumptive positive case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the township,” Giangeruso said. “Our police department was notified by the daughter of the 84-year-old township resident immediately upon learning of the test results.
“On Sunday, March 15, the Lyndhurst Police Department and EMS responded to assist the patient at his residence for what was reported as a male feeling faint. Upon police arrival, officers were advised by the patient’s daughter that her father had been diagnosed with the flu via telephone by his primary doctor.
“The patient was transported to a local area hospital for further care and evaluation, where he remains in stable condition, and he is said to be recovering and doing well by his daughter. Additionally, the patient’s daughter and her adult son, both of whom reside with the patient, are self-quarantining following C.D.C. recommendations.
“The patient had limited contact in the township and he spent a majority of his time with his immediate family. Again, all of the patient’s immediate family are self-quarantining as an abundance of caution. The family remains in direct contact with the Lyndhurst Health Department and Office of Emergency Management.”
The mayor says all first responders who came into contact with the patient are being closely monitored.
“The Lyndhurst Health Department, Office of Emergency Management and Police Department are taking all necessary precautions to attend to the exposed officers and EMS personnel,” Giangeruso said. “None of our first responders are exhibiting any symptoms; however, they will be following C.D.C. recommendations and self-quarantining in their homes.
“This information is being relayed not as a means of creating additional panic and hysteria in the community, but a way to be as transparent as possible. I ask that in these unprecedented times, we come together to help one another and put our best efforts forward to continue proper personal hygiene and social distancing.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I commend each and every resident for their continued patience and cooperation as we face this new challenge together.”
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.