Dear Neighbor 

This last week, from 10/5 through 10/11 Highland Park had 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Sadly, we continue to see levels similar to April’s numbers which represented the height of the pandemic in Highland Park. The ages last week, for the most part, are still skewing younger, from age 3 to age 69, with an average age of 27. Since we started tracking the pandemic in Highland Park our average age had consistently been about 50-60; now our year-to-date average age is 45. This week, again, the Northside of town continues to have the most cases, with 65% of these new cases.

My intention here is not to Covid-shame anyone. We must stay informed of all these developments, and that includes ages and proximities. We are a small, diverse community and we must look out for one another. That means taking all precautions to prevent the spread of this virus.

At the same time, we will find ways to continue some of the town-wide activities we all enjoy, but in a safe way. Halloween has always been a fun and busy time for our children and adults. In response to the rise of Covid-19 cases in our Borough we’ll be celebrating Halloween a bit differently this year, ALL IN A SOCIALLY DISTANT WAY!:

1. We encourage neighborhood Trick-or-Treating following the state/CDC guidelines to minimize contact and maximize safety and Governor Murphy’s common sense protections.
a. Families should travel together in small groups
b. Residents are encouraged to leave prepackaged treats on their front steps, or outside their doors, for easy access. Please don’t put these treats in a bowl. Leave them spread out on a tray or table.
c. Trick or Treaters should wear PPE masks under their scary masks.

2. Our Police Department is putting together plans for a safe Trunk or Treat in two locations in town, from 4-6 pm on Halloween. Locations will be posted as soon as the details are confirmed.

3. Activities along Main Street will include:
a. Legend of Highland Marsh: A Socially Distanced Haunt - a self-guided, spooky walking tour along Main Street (open the week before and through 10/31) under the creative orchestration of our resident, Alex Dawson. If walking together, please walk together in families.
b. Music on the Corners (So.3rd and No 4th)
c. Main Street Highland Park Goody bags will be distributed from tables along Raritan Avenue. There will be no entering of businesses for trick or treating this year; our friends at Main Street are pre-making goody bags and they will be at tables along the main drag)
d. We will have our Outdoor Movie Night, safely distanced and with masks. Details will be provided.

Be smart. Be caring. Wear a mask in public, indoors and outside. Wash your hands often. Keep a social distance of 6' from others. Eliminate gatherings that cannot guarantee 6' of social distance. We, each and every one of us, have the power to slow this down in Highland Park. Simply follow these guidelines.

Thank you!

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

Neighbors-

This last week, from 9/28 through 10/4 Highland Park had 23 confirmed cases of Covid-19. That is our highest level of cases since April. The ages, for the most part, are still skewing younger, from age 2 to age 61, with an average age of 33 (historic HP average age had been 50). 74% of these cases occurred on the Northside of town.

My intention here is not to Covid-shame anyone. We must stay informed of all these developments, and that includes ages and proximities. We are a small, diverse community and we must look out for one another. That means taking all precautions to prevent the spread of this virus. We don't want to be forced to return to the restrictions of March, April, and May.

Be smart. Be caring. Wear a mask in public, indoors and outside. Wash your hands often. Keep a social distance of 6' from others. Eliminate gatherings that cannot guarantee 6' of social distance. We, each and every one of us, have the power to slow this down in Highland Park. Simply follow these guidelines.

Thank you!

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor

 

Neighbors 

Another 5 confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported to us yesterday. This takes our total number of reported confirmed cases to-date up to 216. Ages were 16, 22, 33, 54 and 59.

PLEASE, once again, I implore you to stay vigilant against this virus. Clearly, we are not out of the woods yet. No one wants to see a reversal on our steps to returning to a pre-Covid-19 community. But, it takes all of us, working together to fight this common enemy.

Remember to: 1. Wear a mask in public, 2. Maintain a safe 6' distance from others at all times, 3. Wash your hands often.

Thank you

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

Dear Neighbors-

Sadly, Highland Park has experienced 13 new Covid-19 positive cases since my last report 9 days ago. This brings the totals of positive cases to-date to 206 (as reported to us by the County through 9/29). Shockingly, 8 of the 13 new cases are teenagers. 10 of the 13 new cases are males. The average age of Highland Park positive Covid-19 cases to-date is now age 48.

These are very concerning numbers. We MUST STAY VIGILANT against this virus. While it is tempting to enjoy more communal time together with friends and neighbors in the cooling weather, please remember to stay at least 6' apart al all times (even outdoors); less than 6' of distance for a period of 10 minutes or more is not safe. Wear your mask when in public. Continue to wash your hands frequently.

Dear Neighbor

As of this morning, Middlesex County reported a total number of 193 confirmed Covid-19 cases (year-to-date) in Highland Park. While the average age year-to-date remains 50, the average age of last week's cases is 29. All but one of these new cases were males.

This clearly demonstrates that we are NOT out of danger from the spread of this pandemic. PLEASE think of your family members, your neighbors and your friends. The easiest thing to do to keep your loved ones safe is to wear a mask when out in public. Wash your hands often. And please be conscious of maintaining a safe distance of 6' from others not in your family.

As a community, caring for one another, taking necessary precautions, we will get through this pandemic.

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

Good morning Neighbors

It has been two weeks since my last report on confirmed Covid-19 cases in Highland Park. Since 8/31 we have had 4 new reported cases (an average of 2 per week). This brings our current total # of cases to 184. The average age of those confirmed with this virus is still 50 years old. 52% of cases were identified as males; 48% were females.

While I long for the day when I can report there are no more cases in Highland Park, this average of 2 cases per week is the result of your diligence and care for your neighbors and friends. Please, for all our sake, continue to wash your hands regularly, maintain 6' of social distance from non-family members at all times, and PLEASE wear a mask when going into public.

Stay healthy.

Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler

Dear Neighbors-

Because of your diligence, because you DO care about your family members and your neighbors I can report that there were only 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Highland Park over the last week. This is an indication that we are back on the right track in controlling the spread in our community. Both cases this week were males; one is 2 years old and one is 85 years old. Our current total of all confirmed cases through 8/30 is 180.

You may be aware that Governor Murphy is permitting indoor dining beginning this weekend. There are strict rules regarding capacity levels, number of people per table, spacing between tables, number of people permitted at a bar, and mask wearing when not eating indoors. I strongly urge you to follow the guidelines set forth by the Governor so that we continue to contain this virus and may enjoy indoor dining in our restaurants for the remainder of the pandemic.

Please stay healthy. Stay 6' apart. Take a mask when you leave your home. And, continue washing your hands often. Together, we can, and we will, get through this.

Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler

Good morning, Neighbors,

I have just been informed that Highland Park had two new cases of Covid-19 reported since 7/28. That would take our new reported cases to 168.

Dear Neighbors-

This week there has been a report of one more new confirmed case of Coronavirus in Highland Park. This brings the total number of confirmed Highland Park cases to 165.

We must stay on guard against this disease. Be a good neighbor, family member and friend. Be prepared and take a face covering when you leave your home. Keep 6’ of distance from others. Continue to wash your hands often. No one is trying to take away your individual rights. We are asking you to be considerate of your neighbors. If we work together, we can continue to control the spread of this pandemic in our community.

Stay healthy.
 
Mayor Gayle Brill Mitter

Dear Neighbors-

I am saddened to report one new death due to Covid-19 in Highland Park. This brings our total deaths from this pandemic to 9. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of our latest casualty. May their memory be a blessing.

Additionally, there has been a report of one new confirmed case of a 19 year old male in Highland Park. This brings the total number of confirmed Highland Park cases to 164.

We must stay on guard against this disease. Be a good neighbor, family member and friend. Wear a face covering when you leave your home. Keep 6’ of distance from others. Continue to wash your hands often.

Stay healthy.

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park