Covid-19 Information

• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. The estimated to cause about a third of all cases of the common cold.
• The most common forms can cause mild to moderate illness in people, while other forms circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats.

What is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before.
• COVID-19 is not caused by the same coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. However, it is in the same family of viruses.
• Because this is a new virus, there are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how it is transmitted between people, and other specifics of the virus. More information will be provided when it is available.

What was the source of this outbreak?

• Public health officials and partners are working hard to identify the source of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China, reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting the virus likely emerged from an animal source.
• SARS, another coronavirus that emerged, came from civet cats, while MERS, another coronavirus that emerged to infect people, came from camels. Officials are trying to determine if something similar happened with COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

According to CDC, patients with confirmed COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Based on other corona viruses, the CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses that are circulating, such as influenza, so experiencing these symptoms alone does not necessarily mean you need to be tested for COVID-19. Additional criteria will help your health care provider decide if you should be tested, such as:

• If you have history of recent travel (within past 14 days) from an affected geographic area. Affected geographic areas currently include China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea (continue to check CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel for updated affected geographic areas).
• If you had close contact with any confirmed person within the past 2 days of symptom onset.
• If you are hospitalized acute respiratory illness or pneumonia without another explanation (e.g., influenza)

How does COVID-19 spread?

This virus is thought to have emerged from an animal source but is now able to spread from person-to-person.

• It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It’s not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person.
• Patients who have been identified with COVID-19 in the United States have traveled to an area in China where the virus is circulating or have had contact with a known case.

If you are a Salem County Resident and would like to be tested for COVID-19, you can schedule an appointment to be tested at the Penns Grove, Pilesgrove, or Salem Rite Aid locations, the Riverside Urgent Care in Pennsville, one of Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers testing sites in Salem and Pittsgrove, or Salem Medical Center.

• Rite Aid (adults 13+ only): https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing
• Riverside Urgent Care: https://www.riversidemedgroup.com/services/urgent-care/pennsville-nj/
• Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers – Children only – Old Salem County Courthouse, 113 Market St, Salem, NJ 08079 – SEE ON MAP. Call 609-569-4712
• Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers – Pittsgrove Senior Center, 743 Centerton Rd Pittsgrove, NJ 08318 – SEE ON MAP. Call 609-569-4510
• Salem Medical Center: call 856-469-8555

• ⚠️COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance for Seniors
• State of New Jersey Vaccination Registration Website
• https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_vaccination.shtml
• COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups (PDF)
• Vaccine Survey : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCfvMvXEWoQ-Ek9_lM9FilkxWjJ3HspRPigrUbya2YJHODlw/viewform

Salem County’s COVlD-19 Vaccination Locations

Salem Medical Center

• Appointments available every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday ~ 8am-3pm
• Saturday & Sunday ~ 8am-12pm
• To schedule an appointment please call: 856-469-8555

Salem County Department of Health

• To schedule an appointment online visit https://health.salemcountynj.gov (appointments are updated every Monday at 12pm)
• For residents 65+ WITH internet access, for the fastest response please email:
  
• For residents 65+ WITHOUT internet access, please call 856-935-7510 ext. 8406
  Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays from 1pm-3pm.

Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers

• Appointments available every Saturday.
• To schedule an appointment please visit: www.sjfmc.org

New Jersey COVID Vaccine Megasites

• Moorestown Mall, Burlington County
  To schedule an appointment – https://www.virtua.org/vaccine
• Rowan College of South Jersey, Gloucester County
  To schedule an appointment – https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine
• Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic County
  To schedule an appointment – https://vaccination.atlanticare.org/default.aspx
• New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Middlesex County
  To schedule an appointment – https://www.rwjbh.org/patients-visitors/what-you-need-to-know-about-covid-19/schedule-a-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-appointment-request-form/
• Rockaway Townsquare, Morris County
  To schedule an appointment – https://www.atlantichealth.org/conditions-treatments/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine/schedule-vaccine-appointment.html
• The Meadowlands Complex, East Rutherford, Bergen County
  To schedule an appointment – https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19/

Vaccine Safety

Vaccine safety is the top priority for public health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines Emergency Use Authorization. This means that both vaccines were reviewed by the FDA and that the vaccines met their criteria for safety and effectiveness.

For more information on this process please visit: https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/emergency-use-authorization-vaccines-explained

Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are for adults 18 years of age and older. Pregnant women, and those that are currently breastfeeding are advised to contact their physician prior to receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions or concerns if this vaccine is right for you, contact your primary care physician.

Phases of Vaccine Distribution

The COVID-19 vaccine is set to be distributed in Phases determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New Jersey’s phases are as follows:

• Phase 1A: Healthcare Workers & Long-Term Care residents
• Phase 1B: Frontline Essential Workers and adults 75+ years of age
• Phase 1C: Adults 65+ years of age & adults with high-risk medical conditions
• Phase 2: General Population

New Jersey has sent initial shipments of Pfizer vaccine to hospitals in order to begin vaccinating Phase 1A.

For more information on New Jersey’s phased distribution plan please visit: https://nj.gov/health/legal/covid19/NJ%20Interim%20COVID-19%20Vaccination%20Plan%20-%20Revised%2012-15-20.pdf

Additional Resources

• Vaccine Locations
• Vaccine Phase 1 DOH Letter
• Vaccine Facts

• View the executive orders from the office of Governor Murphy.

General Information from the CDC

• What you need to know
• What to do if you’re sick
• Stop the spread of germs poster 
• Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 poster
• The CDC Protects and prepares communities

Information for Individuals & Families

• For general information on COVID-19: NJ Department of Health
  
• Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
  
• Resources for Salem County Food Pantries
• Health Actions to Protect You and Your Family: ENGLISH
• Health Actions to Protect You and Your Family: SPANISH

Pregnant Women

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19 /specific-groups/pregnancy-faq.html

Children

• FAQ from CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19 /specific-groups/children-faq.html
• How to talk to your kids about COVID-19 ( PDF Infographic)

Seniors

• Download PDF from Salem County Office on Aging

Disabled Individuals

• Guidance for Individuals and Families of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (opens in new window)
• Salem County – Coronavirus Guide for People with Disabilities (opens in new window)
• Tips to stay healthy: American Sign Language Video (opens in new window)

Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

• Mental Health and Coping (CDC)
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
• Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Health Professionals

• Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating Persons Under Investigation and Asymptomatic Close Contacts of Confirmed Cases at Their Home or Non- Home Residential Setting
• Guidance for Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with COVID-19
• What healthcare personnel should know about caring for patients with confirmed possible COVID-19
• “Ask for a Mask” (NJDOH)
• Guidance for risk assessment of healthcare personnel potential exposure

Extended Care Facilities and Systems

• Preparation and guidance for facilities, including long-term care: Resources for Healthcare Facilities
• What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection
• Behavioral Health and Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

• Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States Guidance for EMS related to COVID-19

Law Enforcement Personnel

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-law-enforcement.html

Child Care/Schools

• New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care and K-12 Schools (NJDOH) – https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml
• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to COVID-19  – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-for-schools.html

Colleges and Universities

• New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Information for Colleges and Universities (NJDOH) –  https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml

Adult Care Services

• PPE Request Form courtesy of Liquid Church – https://airtable.com/shrm6eM8GCxrqmNa3

Businesses and Workplaces

• Information for Businesses and Employers – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
• Information for Schools and Businesses – https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

Agricultural Resources

Resources for Agricultural Businesses and Workers

• COVID19 Outreach Packet – English
• COVID19 Outreach Packet – Spanish
• Reliable Resources for Farmworkers – English
• Reliable Resources for Farmworkers – Spanish

COVID-19 Produce Farm Resources

• COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Your Produce Farm (PDF)
• COVID-19 and Your Produce Farm Video Webinar

COVID-19 Dairy Farm Resources

• COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Your Dairy (PDF)
• Covid-19 and Your Dairy Video Webinar

Transporting Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/2020/05/08/safely-transporting-workers-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

National Center for Farmworker Health

• http://www.ncfh.org/covid-19.html

Food Industry Resources for Coronavirus

• https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/food-industry-resources

Ships / Ports

• https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/recommendations-for-ships.html

Substance Abuse Resources

Recovery Meetings Online

• Alcoholics Anonymous – https://aasj.org/meetings
• AA Big Book Step Study – https://bbstepstudy.org
• Narcotics Anonymous – https://www.na.org/meetingsearch
• United Recovery – https://unityrecovery.org/digital-recovery-meetings
• Recorded 12 Step Speakers – https://www.xa-speakers.org

Substance Abuse Hotlines

• NJ Peer Recovery (Peer support line available 7 days a week) – 833-422-2765  – https://njpeerrecovery.com
• Substance Abuse Treatment (24/7 Access to treatment for a drug or alcohol problem) – 844-276-2777

Mental Health Resources

• NJ Mental Health Cares – 866-202-HELP (4357)
  View video in English – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvcncw9eZJcView video in Spanish –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lyVsf0mI2g
• SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline – Call 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 for 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling
• Youth Crisis Hotline -Youth ages 10 to 24 can call or text 888-222-2228 to discuss any crisis confidentially.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish – 800-273-8255
• Veteran’s Crisis Line -talk, online chat, or text 800-273-TALK or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net

Travel

• Travel Notices – https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
• Travel Frequently Asked Questions – https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/faq
• Travel restrictions by country – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Spanish Versions of PDFs

• COVID-19: Fact Sheets Translations (NJDOH)
• COVID-19: Fact Sheets Translations (CDC)
• How to Protect Yourself
• How is COVID-19 Spread
• How to Make a Mask and Mask Information
• COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented or Uninsured Individuals
• How to Take a Temperature
• What is Social Distancing?
• I’m Sick. What Should I Do?
• Residents Who Test Positive for COVID-19
• Residents Who Test Negative for COVID-19
• SNAP Resources
• Salem County Food Distribution List
• Salem County Drive Thru Testing Site Information
• COVID19 Outreach Packet – Spanish
• Office on Aging and Disabilities Reminds you to be Prepared, Not Scared Flyer

Additional Information

• Prevention Tips
• Underlying Conditions (PDFs): English | Spanish
• Contact Tracing and Talking to a Contact Tracer (PDF)
• What to do if you tested POSITIVE for COVID-19 (PDFs) : ENGLISH | SPANISH
• What to do if you tested NEGATIVE for COVID-19 (PDFs) : ENGLISH | SPANISH

If you are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and feel that you need medical attention, please take the following steps:

• For Mild Symptoms: CALL AHEAD before visiting your primary care physician and advise them of your symptoms, recent travel, and/or close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. They will advise you on next steps for being seen for evaluation of your symptoms.
• For Severe Symptoms: CALL AHEAD before visiting your local emergency room and advise them of your symptoms, recent travel, and/or close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. They will advise you on next steps for being seen for evaluation of your symptoms.

If you are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID- 19 and/or are waiting for the results of your COVID-19 test please take the following steps to prevent further spread:

• Stay home except to get medical care
• Stay separated from other people and animals
• Continue to monitor your symptoms
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Clean your hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• If you MUST enter a public space, wear a mask or face covering
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day