Covid-19 Related Announcements
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TODAY’S COVID-19 CASE SUMMARY
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There have been nineteen (19) new cases of COVID-19 in Montgomery and Rocky Hill since our last report on Friday, January 21. In addition, three (3) new COVID-19 hospitalizations and one (1) new death have been reported.
“Cases are falling, but sadly we are still experiencing negative outcomes from this virus,” said Montgomery Health Officer Devangi Patel. “The pandemic is not over. It remains important that everyone get their booster shot and wear a well-fitting mask when out and about.”
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GET VACCINATED IN BRIDGEWATER
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The Montgomery Township Health Department recommends residents seeking initial or booster vaccines go to the regional COVID-19 vaccine mega-site in the former Lord & Taylor store at Bridgewater Commons Mall, 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater.
Serving all ages 5 and above, the mega-site is open Tuesdays 9 am to 3 pm; Wednesdays 11 am to 7 pm; and Saturdays 9 am to 3pm. It is being operated through a collaboration among the New Jersey Department of Health, Somerset County, and RWJBarnabas Health. Individuals can walk in or register online for an appointment at www.rwjbh.org/bridgewater.
In addition, Somerset County is running a clinic for ages 5 and above from 4-7:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 876 East Main Street in Bridgewater.
Residents can find information on County vaccination and testing clinics, the State vaccination mega-site at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, and federal vaccination and testing recommendations at http://soconj.gov/vaxclinics.
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MONTY PCR TESTING CLINIC AT JOHNSON & JOHNSON CAMPUS
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Montgomery Township’s PCR COVID-19 testing program continues this week at the Johnson & Johnson corporate campus at 199 Grandview Road in Skillman, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 3 pm. Testing is being performed in the lobby of the North Building, and a map of the campus shows where to go.
Central Jersey Urgent care and Carbon Health, the companies administering the test, recommend online pre-registration with Flow Health Labs here. The test is self- administered and takes about one minute. Someone will assist you through the process, which includes a shallow nose swab, for about 10 seconds in each nostril. You will then place the swab in a test tube, hand the sample back to the staff member, and be on your way. Results will be delivered via a secure portal in 24 to 48 hours.
Pre-registration will get you through the testing more quickly. When registering, you will need to upload a picture of your photo ID and 2022 health insurance card. If you do not pre-register, bring the physical copies to the test location. Whether or not you have insurance, you will not be charged for your test.
The Montgomery Township website has information on what to do if you or a family member tests positive.
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FREE TESTS AVAILABLE BY MAIL
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This US government this week began offering free at-home COVID-19 tests via the US Postal Service. To order your tests, go to https://www.covidtests.gov/. Delivery time is estimated to be 7 to 12 days. Each residential address is permitted one order of four tests.
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BOARD OF HEALTH PREPARES FOR 2022
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The Montgomery Board of Health's Reorganization meeting was held earlier this month, reelecting Dr. Jeremy Grayson as President and Dr. Kerry Anne McGeary as Vice President. The board welcomed new alternate member Dr. Janani Mohan. The Township Committee liaison is Neena Singh.
At the meeting there was a discussion about mask wearing and consensus in favor of recommending people wear well-fitting N95 masks instead of cloth masks based on the transmissibility of the Omicron variant of the virus.
"Please consistently wear a high-quality mask,” BOH liaison and Committeeperson Neena Singh said. “Our public health experts say it is essential to wear a N95 mask at this point in time and doing so will also help you avoid the flu or other circulating viruses.”
The Montgomery Board of Health remains focused on vaccinations, especially boosters and pediatric vaccinations. Montgomery BOH works closely with Montgomery Health officer Devangi Patel in protecting public health.
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VIRTUAL KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION TO BEGIN
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Orchard Hill Elementary School, Montgomery Township School District, will be conducting ONLINE Open Registration for Kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year from February 4 to February 25, 2022. Children must be five (5) years old on or before October 1, 2022.
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FREE RADON TESTING KITS
AVAILABLE THIS MONTH
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January is Radon Action Month and a good time to test your home. The Montgomery Township Health Department has a limited supply of free radon test kits available for residents. You can pick up your kit on a first-come, first-served basis at the Montgomery Municipal Building, 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. Masks are required.
The average U.S. indoor air level of radon is 1.3 picocuries per liter. At three times that level, the risk of lung cancer from radon is greater than the risk from fire. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey DEP recommend taking action to reduce radon levels if the level in the home is greater than or equal to 4 pCi/L.
Testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. The NJDEP Radon Program provides answers to technical questions and a list of certified companies that provide testing services or do-it-yourself test kits. Contact the program at (800) 648-0394 or www.njradon.org. Test kits can also be obtained from many hardware stores.
If a test indicates a radon problem, an affordable mitigation system can be installed. A list of certified mitigation companies is also available from the DEP Radon.
Questions about obtaining testing kits or literature can be directed to the Montgomery Health Department at (908) 359-8211.
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MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
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Mayor Devra Keenan
Deputy Mayor Shelly L. Bell
Marvin Schuldiner
Kent Huang
Neena Singh
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The next meeting of the Montgomery Township Committee will be Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 7 PM.
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