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COVID 19 Archives III
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/20/2020
Dear neighbors,
Over the past few days I was informed by County health officials of nine (9) new confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Highland Park (three per day Friday, Saturday and Sunday); a 23 year old male, a 25 year old male, a 30 year old male, a 45 year old female, a 45 year old female, a 55 year old female, a 66 year old male, a 72 year old female, and a 73 year old male.
This brings the total number of cases in our town to 83. We pray for each of them and their families. We hope that each person afflicted with this awful virus enjoys a complete and speedy recovery.
As we contend with continued restrictions and sad news, we also have many encouraging signs of life, of hope, and of our community's continued vibrancy to lift our spirits. We are blessed with many local businesses who have risen to meet the changed circumstances and continue to provide us with essential services - our grocery outlets, our pharmacies, our restaurants, and others.
A new approach to our Farmers' Market will make its debut soon, with new policies and procedures to guard our health. The HP Arts Commission, with help from Borough staff, is creating a new online art gallery to give us refreshing ways of viewing the world around us and enjoying artistic expression. And earlier today I shared information from Sustainable Highland Park on how to mark Earth Day this Wednesday, and take meaningful action, even if we can't gather for a collective celebration.
We will get through this. And, I know, we will emerge stronger and more creative than ever.
Please take care.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Over the past few days I was informed by County health officials of nine (9) new confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Highland Park (three per day Friday, Saturday and Sunday); a 23 year old male, a 25 year old male, a 30 year old male, a 45 year old female, a 45 year old female, a 55 year old female, a 66 year old male, a 72 year old female, and a 73 year old male.
This brings the total number of cases in our town to 83. We pray for each of them and their families. We hope that each person afflicted with this awful virus enjoys a complete and speedy recovery.
As we contend with continued restrictions and sad news, we also have many encouraging signs of life, of hope, and of our community's continued vibrancy to lift our spirits. We are blessed with many local businesses who have risen to meet the changed circumstances and continue to provide us with essential services - our grocery outlets, our pharmacies, our restaurants, and others.
A new approach to our Farmers' Market will make its debut soon, with new policies and procedures to guard our health. The HP Arts Commission, with help from Borough staff, is creating a new online art gallery to give us refreshing ways of viewing the world around us and enjoying artistic expression. And earlier today I shared information from Sustainable Highland Park on how to mark Earth Day this Wednesday, and take meaningful action, even if we can't gather for a collective celebration.
We will get through this. And, I know, we will emerge stronger and more creative than ever.
Please take care.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/17/2020
Dear Neighbors;
Yesterday evening, Middlesex County health officials alerted me that an additional seven residents of Highland Park tested positive for COVID-19. Their ages range from 31 – 94 years old and there are both men and women. There were also three positive cases reported on April 15th. This brings the total number of cases in our town to 74. We pray that they all have a complete and swift recovery.
This is a challenging time for all of us. Borough staff and volunteers are always here to help but especially now. Our COPE program can provide residents with food shopping assistance or with wellness check-ins: contact them at HPCOPES@hpboro.com or 732-819-0052. Our food pantry is busy making sure we have enough food for residents who are in need. And our librarians are at the ready to answer questions about a number of topics including stimulus payments, filing for unemployment, and rent/mortgage assistance: contact them at highlandparklib@gmail.com or 732-819-3781.
We are all in this together and if there’s any help you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. Meanwhile, please stay home if you can and if you must go out please wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet of distance from one another. Thank you.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Yesterday evening, Middlesex County health officials alerted me that an additional seven residents of Highland Park tested positive for COVID-19. Their ages range from 31 – 94 years old and there are both men and women. There were also three positive cases reported on April 15th. This brings the total number of cases in our town to 74. We pray that they all have a complete and swift recovery.
This is a challenging time for all of us. Borough staff and volunteers are always here to help but especially now. Our COPE program can provide residents with food shopping assistance or with wellness check-ins: contact them at HPCOPES@hpboro.com or 732-819-0052. Our food pantry is busy making sure we have enough food for residents who are in need. And our librarians are at the ready to answer questions about a number of topics including stimulus payments, filing for unemployment, and rent/mortgage assistance: contact them at highlandparklib@gmail.com or 732-819-3781.
We are all in this together and if there’s any help you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. Meanwhile, please stay home if you can and if you must go out please wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet of distance from one another. Thank you.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/14/2020
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/9/2020
Dear Neighbors
Middlesex County officials informed me yesterday evening that six more residents tested positive for the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Highland Park. Their ages range from 31 to 90 years old. This brings the total number of cases in Highland Park to 43 individuals. Our best wishes to them for a speedy recovery.Please note that there can be a lag between when the Borough is notified of confirmed cases, but we make every effort to provide accurate and timely reports based on the best information we are given.
While the growing number of cases in the Borough is alarming, it’s important to recognize that this uptick in positive diagnoses is also in part due to expanded testing capabilities. On April 1, Middlesex County opened its first drive-thru testing facility at the Kilmer Vehicle Inspection Center and an additional center will be opening in South Brunswick/Dayton Vehicle Inspection Station tomorrow. (Tests are by appointment only. Click here for more information)
We will likely see these numbers climb until we hit the peak in the state, which is hopefully around the corner. Thank you for your continued cooperation during this challenging time and we wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season for everyone celebrating.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
A second Middlesex County drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is opening - 4/10/2020
A second Middlesex County drive-thru COVID-19 testing site will open in South Brunswick on Friday, April 10th. The new site is located at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Inspection Station (2236 Route 130 North, Dayton).
The South Brunswick and Edison testing sites will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on alternate weeks. The South Brunswick testing site will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 10th, 13th and 15th. The Edison site will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 17th, 20th and 22nd and so on.
Residents looking to be tested are required to make an appointment and meet a set of criteria. Appointments can be made 10 a.m. the day before their desired test day and need to be made online at middlesexcountynj.gov/COVID19testing. Residents without access to Internet are instructed to call 732-745-3100 to make their appointment.
Criteria that must be met to receive testing includes:
- Being a Middlesex County resident (valid driver’s license, state issued ID, two pieces of mail with name and address)
- Having either a doctor’s prescription or exhibiting symptoms that include: fever 100.4 degrees or higher (99.6 if 65+), respiratory symptoms, and/or shortness of breath.
Collected specimens will be sent to one of many approved laboratories and results will be reported within 2-5 business days.
The South Brunswick and Edison testing sites will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on alternate weeks. The South Brunswick testing site will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 10th, 13th and 15th. The Edison site will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 17th, 20th and 22nd and so on.
Residents looking to be tested are required to make an appointment and meet a set of criteria. Appointments can be made 10 a.m. the day before their desired test day and need to be made online at middlesexcountynj.gov/COVID19testing. Residents without access to Internet are instructed to call 732-745-3100 to make their appointment.
Criteria that must be met to receive testing includes:
- Being a Middlesex County resident (valid driver’s license, state issued ID, two pieces of mail with name and address)
- Having either a doctor’s prescription or exhibiting symptoms that include: fever 100.4 degrees or higher (99.6 if 65+), respiratory symptoms, and/or shortness of breath.
Collected specimens will be sent to one of many approved laboratories and results will be reported within 2-5 business days.
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/8/2020
Dear neighbors,
I had hoped that I wouldn't have to share more bad news, right before the holidays of Passover and Easter arrive. But that was not meant to be.
I learned last night that there are four new confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in Highland Park - a 25 year old female, a 32 year old male, a 39 year old female, and a 63 year old male. This brings the total number of cases in Highland Park reported to me by County officials to 35.
Each of these people is someone's beloved family member, someone's good friend, and someone's neighbor. We pray that they all experience a complete and speedy recovery.
Thank you for your continued cooperation at this difficult time.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
I had hoped that I wouldn't have to share more bad news, right before the holidays of Passover and Easter arrive. But that was not meant to be.
I learned last night that there are four new confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in Highland Park - a 25 year old female, a 32 year old male, a 39 year old female, and a 63 year old male. This brings the total number of cases in Highland Park reported to me by County officials to 35.
Each of these people is someone's beloved family member, someone's good friend, and someone's neighbor. We pray that they all experience a complete and speedy recovery.
Thank you for your continued cooperation at this difficult time.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Highland Park residents with questions on the best sources of online information about COVID-19 matters - 4/8/2020
- how to handle their groceries
- what scams are out there
- getting your stimulus check
- obtaining unemployment assistanceand many other topics,
should contact the skilled and seasoned librarians at our public library. They can be reached by email, at highlandparklib@gmail.com or by phone at 732/819-3781.
Borough's COPE program, serving residents in COVID-19 crisis, Is very active & now seeks donations - 4/7/2020
The home-grown Highland Park Borough response to the COVID-19 changes, the COPE program, is up and running and filling a real need. It has already attracted 63 volunteers and over 40 residents in need of services.
What the program needs now is financial support, to underwrite the cost of groceries for those who can not afford them and transportation fees when outside services are used.
The COPE program, overseen by members of the Borough's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Highland Park Department of Community Services, assists residents in need by delivering groceries to those who can not or should not leave their homes, checking in with isolated residents by phone or email, and arranging transportation to medical appointments.
Checks (payable to "Borough of Highland Park," with "COPE/Covid-19" written in the memo) can be mailed to the HP Community Center at 220 South Sixth Ave or placed in the exterior mailbox.
Donations in the form of credit cards can be made through the recreation department's online software .
Residents in need of assistance from the COPE program should send an email to HPCOPES@hpboro.com or call 732/819-0052. Please include your phone number in any message.
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/6/2020
Dear neighbors,
Within the past 24 hours I learned that there are three new positive cases of Coronavirus in our borough - a 61 year old male, a 68 year old female, and a 68 year old male. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in town to 31.
We pray for the complete and speedy recovery of all those afflicted by this terrible illness. And we wish much strength to their families.
Leadership on the federal, state, and county level predict that the next two weeks may be the most difficult ones in this crisis. It is often darkest before the dawn. I urge everyone - Hang on! Have hope! And, of course, stay home! We will get through this.
Please take care.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Within the past 24 hours I learned that there are three new positive cases of Coronavirus in our borough - a 61 year old male, a 68 year old female, and a 68 year old male. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in town to 31.
We pray for the complete and speedy recovery of all those afflicted by this terrible illness. And we wish much strength to their families.
Leadership on the federal, state, and county level predict that the next two weeks may be the most difficult ones in this crisis. It is often darkest before the dawn. I urge everyone - Hang on! Have hope! And, of course, stay home! We will get through this.
Please take care.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/5/2020
Dear Residents,
Last night I learned of three more confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in our town - a female 34 years old, a female 58 years old, and a male 59 years old. This brings the total number of cases in the Borough to 28.
We pray for the complete and speedy recovery of all those affected by this awful illness. And we are grateful, beyond words, to the medical professionals on the front lines who are helping patients and researching remedies.
What can you do? The advice from the CDC and our local County Office of Health Services is simple - stay home and go out as little as possible, if you are out stay at least 6 feet apart from others & wear plastic gloves and face masks, and when you return home wash your hands vigorously.
Wishing you good health and good hope.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Last night I learned of three more confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in our town - a female 34 years old, a female 58 years old, and a male 59 years old. This brings the total number of cases in the Borough to 28.
We pray for the complete and speedy recovery of all those affected by this awful illness. And we are grateful, beyond words, to the medical professionals on the front lines who are helping patients and researching remedies.
What can you do? The advice from the CDC and our local County Office of Health Services is simple - stay home and go out as little as possible, if you are out stay at least 6 feet apart from others & wear plastic gloves and face masks, and when you return home wash your hands vigorously.
Wishing you good health and good hope.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
Message from Mayor Brill Mittler - 4/3/2020
Dear residents,
I had hoped to go into the weekend with an absence of additional bad news, in our local area. That was not meant to me.
I learned today about four new confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in Highland Park - people ages 31, 35, 54, and 92. They are three males and one female. We pray that they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
I learned as well that another officer in our local police department has tested positive for Coronavirus. We pray for the officer's complete and speedy recovery.
This is hard on all of us. This brings the number of confirmed cases in town to 25.
Despite the discouraging news, we know that there will be an end to this unsettling episode in our lives. We know, in our hearts, that we will return to the vibrant life and rich sense of community that makes Highland Park, NJ, and the United States such a wonderful place to live. We just don't know when.
Wishing you a safe, healthy, and relaxing weekend.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park
I had hoped to go into the weekend with an absence of additional bad news, in our local area. That was not meant to me.
I learned today about four new confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in Highland Park - people ages 31, 35, 54, and 92. They are three males and one female. We pray that they all have a complete and speedy recovery.
I learned as well that another officer in our local police department has tested positive for Coronavirus. We pray for the officer's complete and speedy recovery.
This is hard on all of us. This brings the number of confirmed cases in town to 25.
Despite the discouraging news, we know that there will be an end to this unsettling episode in our lives. We know, in our hearts, that we will return to the vibrant life and rich sense of community that makes Highland Park, NJ, and the United States such a wonderful place to live. We just don't know when.
Wishing you a safe, healthy, and relaxing weekend.
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park