The Kearny Department of Health is currently monitoring four reported COVID-19 cases, including two new cases not reported previously.
Of the new cases:
One is a factory worker in Parsippany. The individual became sick on March 12, and from 5-7 p.m., went shopping at a local supermarket and warehouse store. He did the same, again, the next day. The family members who were in close contact with the individual have been notified to self-quarantine and the positive person is recovering at home. The businesses have been notified.
The other case is a pharmacy technician in Newark. The individual became sick March 13 and from 4:15-4:45 p.m., went shopping at a local supermarket. On March 14, the individual went to work on Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Newark. Family members and co-workers who were in close contact with the individual have been notified to self-quarantine.
The positive person is recovering at home. The local supermarket was notified.
Residents who exhibit any symptoms such as coughing or sneezing or who have a fever should immediately self-quarantine at home and contact his or her physician. These two cases did not heed that warning and may have contributed to the spread of COVID-19.
Going to work or shopping, or attending group gatherings, while having symptoms poses a serious risk of exposing other members of the community to coronavirus. Communities that have unmitigated spread have imposed shelter-in-place orders.
While Kearny has not reached that level of spread, is a possible measure if residents do not comply with social distancing guidelines or if residents do not stay at home when exhibiting symptoms.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off 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 Facebook Live, 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 West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.