Coronavirus News and Announcements

The most recent notices, closings, and cancellations due to the Coronavirus can be found on this page. They are posted by category, by date, with the most recent on top. This page is updated frequently, so check in often for the latest information. For older notices, please refer to the Coronavirus Notices Archive page.

For the most complete and up to date info on COVID-19 go to the State of NJ COVID-19 Information Hub at covid19.nj.gov

For Sussex County updates visit https://sussex.nj.us/covid19

Sussex County Health Department Notices and Updates

Please note that totals change often. Refer to the SC Coronasvirus page for the lastest information.

Sussex County Thursday Update

April 22
The Sussex County Health Department has announced 72 additional COVID-19 cases of Sussex County residents since yesterday. Eleven new cases were reported in Wantage, which brings our total from 919 to 930 cases. No deaths were reported. The County's updated numbers now stand at 13825 confirmed cases, 12572 cases recovered, 291 deaths, and 962 cases are under investigation. Read Thursday's press release. Read Thursday's report. See the Coronavirus Notices Archive page for earlier reports.

New COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment Notification System

February 23
Sussex County has developed a new appointment notification system to schedule a vaccination appointment. Though registration is not a guarantee of an appointment time, individuals who have registered with the appointment notification system will receive email blasts when new appointment blocks are available. After registering with the County, individuals will remain in the notification system until they have been scheduled for a vaccination appointment. To begin the registration process for the notification system go to: sussex.nj.us/cn/webpage.cfm?TID=7&TPID=17519.

Free COVID-19 Testing

February 11
Testing available at St. Thomas Church, 210 US Highway 206 N, Sandyston. Appointment needed, go to cunicohealthandwellness.com (note: site loads slowly) to book your appointment. No Lines, No Wait, No Fee!

COVID Vaccination Clinics

January 28
Sussex County has issued a press release "What to Expect at Sussex County COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics". Click here to read the press release.

COVID Vaccine Information

January 21
Seniors who are unable to access the internet may call the Sussex County Division of Senior Services at 973-579-0555 for help registering for a vaccination appointment.

Seniors in need of transportation to vaccination sites located throughout Sussex County can contact Skylands Ride at 973-579-0480 for assistance. When possible, please contact Skylands Ride prior to registering for your COVID-19 vaccination so that transportation can be coordinated with your scheduled vaccination date.

Seniors who have questions related to COVID19 may call the Sussex County COVID Hotline Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 973-579-9488.

Currently, there are four vaccination sites in Sussex County:

ShopRite of Newton (call for appointment: 973-579-1119)
ShopRite of Byram (call for appointment: 201-400-8180)
Newton Medical Center - to make an appointment: use MyChart or register at atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine
Sussex County Vaccination site: to make an appointment go to sussex.nj.us/covid19

Sussex County to Open Vaccination Site

January 8
The Sussex County Department of Health & Human Services Division of Health announces that the county COVID-19 vaccination site will open on Thursday, January 14, 2021 in accordance with the State’s phased distribution. PLEASE NOTE: You MUST qualify to receive the vaccine by meeting the “Phase” criteria set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health and described below. The COVID-19 vaccination site will be held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. To receive your vaccine YOU MUST make an appointment, no walk-ins allowed. If you come to the site and do not have a scheduled pre-approved appointment you will be turned away. The vaccine will distributed following the guidance set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health. This means the vaccine will be given to the public in four phases. To receive the vaccine you must qualify for each phase by meeting specified criteria. Click here for press release.

State Announcements

Pre-register for COVID-19 Vaccine

The general public can now pre-register, and this will allow our residents to input their personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. It will also allow for individuals to schedule an appointment for those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions. To pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine please visit https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/.

Governor Lowers Limits on Gatherings

Effective Tuesday, November 17
Gov. Murphy has lowered limits on gatherings in New Jersey in an attempt to slow the rise of COVID-19 cases. With some exceptions, indoor gatherings will now be limited to 10 people, down from 25. The new indoor limit went into effect November 17 at 6 a.m., with exceptions. Religious services, political events, performances, weddings, funerals, and memorial services may continue as long as they are limited to 25% of a room’s capacity, up to 150 people, he said. Outdoor capacity has been lowered to 150, from 500. The outdoor restrictions began Nov. 23.

Governor Issues Executive Order #194

Effective Thursday, November 12

No indoor dining between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. at restaurnats, bars, clubs, and lounges
Outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery services may continue past 10 p.m.
Casinos must stop serving food/drinks at 10 p.m.
All barside seating will be prohibited
Restaurants may place tables closer than six feet ONLY if separated by barriers
Individual fully-enclosed dining bubbles may be set up for outside use
All interstate games and tournaments involving indoor sports, up to and including the high school level, will be prohibited
College and professional sports will be unaffected

County Announcements

Library Update

November 9
The library is open BY APPOINYMENT ONLY. Schedule an appointment from the library's website or call the library to schedule an appointment. Curbside book pickups are available to pick up the books you placed on hold. The online catalogue is open so patrons may place holds on books. Continue using the book drops for library returns. Please allow a few days for sanitization before returns are removed from your account. More information can be found on the library's website. For questions, call 973-948-3660 or email sussexref@sussexcountylibrary.org

SC DOH PSA

April 15 - The Sussex County Department of Health has released a Public Service Announcement, Do Your Part to Help Slow the Spread of Illness. Click here to view the PSA on YouTube. For more videos, the County's YouTube Channel is https://youtube.com/sussexnj

Disaster Response Crisis Counselors Are Available

April 2
The Sussex County Division of Health (SCDOH) announced that certified Disaster Response Crisis Counselors (DRCCs) are available to speak to Sussex County residents who may be experiencing emotional or mental difficulties related to COVID-19. DRCCs are trained to provide disaster mental health services, including psychological first aid and crisis counseling. DRCCs are certified through the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Disaster and Terrorism Branch, along with the Mental Health Association of New Jersey and the Certification Board of New Jersey, Inc. Click here for Crisis Councelor information.

Sussex COVID-19 Hotline

March 24
The Sussex County Division of Health COVID-19 Hotline is now open. Residents may call the Hotline number at 973-579-9488 to speak with a Sussex County Division of Health (SCDOH) staff member or Sussex County Medical Reserve Corp volunteer. The Hotline’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Additional information for residents can be found at the locations listed below.

Sussex County website https://sussex.nj.us/covid19
2-1-1 (NJ Department of Health)
1-800-962-1253
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 (NJ Department of Health)

Township Announcements

Wantage Parks Are Open

Wantage Township will continue to allow Woodbourne Park to stay open as long as social distance rules are followed. Please remind your family that if groups of people are seen together at the park, we will have to close Woodbourne. Maintain six feet apart from all walkers — for your safety and theirs. Playground areas are open. All organized sports and group activities are not to be held until further notice. While we encourage our residents to get outside and exercise, please remember when at the parks to be safe. Best practice requires maintaining at least a six-foot distance between yourself and others.

Helpful Websites

NJ Senate - Office of Senator Steven Oroho
https://www.senatenj.com/index.php/email/email-oroho/breaking-news-update-on-covid-19-4-1-2020-5/47239

NJ Office of Homeland Security
https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/covid19

Misc Information

Energy Assistance

Elizabethtown Gas has provided a Financial Assistance Programs Sheet. Representatives from Elizabethtown Gas are available to speak about conservation measures and energy assistance by request. Should you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Daisy Trocan at 908-662-8475 or email at dtrocan@sjindustries.com.

Daisy Trocan, Energy Assistance Outreach Coordinator
posted 011321

COVID-19 FAQs

What's closed? What are the signs and symptoms? Who should be tested? Click to download the NJ Dept. of Health's COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions.

Emergency Home Food Delivery

Those in need of emergency home food delivery should contact NORWESCAP Pathways 2 Prosperity at 973-862-6680 (note that the caller will need to leave a message; calls are being returned off site) The service is being extended to those who do not have the capacity to leave their homes in order to purchase food themselves. Food is being delivered on Tuesday every week, and will only be dropped off curbside. Food will not be brought into the home under any circumstance at this time. A complete list of food pantries and current human service provider offerings can be found on the County website and are updated daily.

NJ 211 Handling Covid-19 Questions

March 19 3:15 p.m.
Starting March 19, NJ 211 has been activated to assist with handling COVID-19 calls from NJ residents. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and to stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.

If the public has questions, they should contact the call center: 1-800-962-1253. Call center is open 24/7 and has multi-language capacity. The call center is not able to diagnose individuals, provide testing appointments or results, or give specific medical recommendations. Callers who need medical advice should contact their healthcare provider. Mild symptoms include fever, some aches and pains, dry cough. Persons with mild symptoms are recommended to stay home, rest, and recover. In general, testing is not needed in those with mild symptoms.