COVID-19 Response: County Closes Nursing Home to Visitors; Suspends Out of County Travel for Employees

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CREST HAVEN – The Cape May County freeholders announced several initiatives March 10 to address issues related to the COVID-19 virus. 
According to a release, these include restricting visitation at the Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and a travel ban outside of the county for all workers on official duty.
As of 8 a.m. March 10, there have been no visits from family or the public to Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Staff from the center are in the process of reaching out to families to let them know about the change.
Signs have been posted outside of the facility. Residents have been informed of the policy as well. The only exceptions will be medical emergencies, deliveries, and outside medical support, and law enforcement transports.
The county’s Information and Technology Department has arranged for computers to be available to the residents to Skype or use Facebook with their families.
“We have the ultimate duty to ensure our residents at Crest Haven are safe,” stated Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson, liaison to Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. “I communicated with our Director at the center Jennifer Hess upon consultation with Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton and we all agreed this is the right decision. The individuals in the Center are at high risk and their safety is paramount.”
The freeholders March 10 at their regular meeting also agreed on a temporary travel ban for all employees doing official county business that is non-essential outside of the county borders. This includes meetings and conferences.
“As we monitor the situation, we believe this is the best course of action to keep our employees and county residents healthy,” stated Thornton. “Our employees perform essential functions throughout the county, and we have to do everything we can to ensure they are ready to serve and help those in our community.”
Thornton also wants county residents to know that the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management has been involved in discussions both with the state and locally to ensure they are prepared for any COVID-19 developments.
A county task force was organized by Health Department Director Kevin Thomas and will continue to meet to discuss COVID-19 related issues, documents, testing, coordinating, cooperation, as well as communications.
Thomas also met with the county superintendent of schools to discuss safety plans, social distances, recommendations on canceling field trips, large gatherings, and of course public health issues for COVID-19. 
Reportedly, Dennis Township school canceled a trip to the Camden Aquarium due to concerns about the virus, it was announced at the meeting.