Woodbine Development Center With 23 Cases of COVID-19

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WOODBINE – Twenty-three members of the Woodbine Developmental Center community have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the state Department of Human Services, report dated April 26. Also, saliva-based testing for the virus will begin in all developmental centers state-wide.
The first three of the positive cases, which were staff members, appeared between April 12-19, according to reports submitted weekly by the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities, which oversees the state’s developmental centers. Seventeen clients and six staff at the facility have tested positive for the coronavirus, per the latest report. Sixty-six clients and 33 staff have tested negative. There have been no deaths reported, as of April 26.
The Woodbine facility has 245 residents. Located on 250 acres of land, it provides rehabilitation, behavioral and medical services, and support to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Repeated efforts to reach the center and the state Division of Developmental Disabilities for comments were unsuccessful.
According to the state report, there are 1,238 clients and about 4,300 staff at five developmental centers across the state. As of April 26, 250 residents and 181 staff tested positive for COVID-19, while 157 residents and 82 staff have tested negative. There have been 13 deaths: five at the Green Brook Regional Center, five at the New Lisbon Developmental Center, two at the Vineland, and one at the Hunterdon Developmental Center.
Within the “community,” which includes those living at their own home or agency homes, 393 have tested positive, 120 have tested negative and 44 people have died.
With the new saliva-based test, which was developed by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, a patient will only have to spit into a saliva collection device and fill it up to the indicated line. The test has a relatively fast turnaround time: just 24 – 48 hours, and will be one of the most accurate tests available.
Additionally, machines will be able to process thousands of saliva samples and produce thousands of results per day, state health officials said. It eliminates the need for swabs and personal protection equipment, which have been in short supply during the pandemic.
The saliva test currently can only look for infections, and it won’t be able to determine whether someone has survived COVID-19 with immunity. The state is working to expand this pilot program and is exploring options to test additional state workers and individuals in the state’s care.
The Department of Human Services compiles the numbers using data from incidents reported by the provider agencies and by the family of individuals who reside in family homes. All the numbers are reported by the state Department of Health and are included in the governor’s daily dashboard at covid19.nj.gov.
According to a press release issued by the Department of Human Services, “Human Services is continuing to work 24/7 to support and protect individuals with developmental disabilities across our state.  Our work includes supporting COVID-19 testing for the New Jerseyans who call our developmental centers home and the critical staff who care for and support them,” said New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson.
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with our flagship New Jersey state university on testing as we continue to take action to support our residents in this unprecedented and challenging time,” she said. “Today’s (April 23) announcement builds on the department’s focus on prevention and mitigation in our centers through restricting visitors; ceasing community outings; conducting staff screening including temperature taking; and reviewing infection control, cleaning, and cohorting procedures. The department will continue to take all available actions to support our residents and staff.”
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.