By: Mistie BugarinPosted on

CRANFORD, NJ — The Centennial Avenue Indoor Pool in Cranford will reopen this coming Wednesday with coronavirus precautions, such as temperature checks.

The town has posted a list of frequently asked questions here: Centennial Avenue Indoor Pool & Fitness Center 2020-21 Frequently Asked Questions

Residents who want to sign up for the pool or other Recreation Department activities can use this link.

Coronavirus stats in Cranford

Meanwhile, Cranford Mayor Patrick Giblin said in a weekly update on Wednesday that four more Cranford residents have tested positive for coronavirus since the update last Wednesday, and that there are 18 “active” cases in town right now.

The mayor Tweeted:

The city has had a total of 561 residents test positive since the start of the pandemic, he said.

The number of fatalities remains at 97, including people in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Back on Sept. 16, the city had confirmed a new fatality since the previous week’s update. Read more here.

A week ago, the town’s superintendent of schools announced that an elementary school student had tested positive for the virus.

Downtown Cranford Mask Up Challenge

The Downtown Cranford office is partnering with the Cranford Police Department and the Cranford PBA Local #52 for the Downtown Cranford Mask Up Challenge. In the month of October, get “caught” wearing your face mask properly in Downtown Cranford and CPD officers may give a “ticket” — a raffle ticket. You will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 10 gift cards to a Downtown business.

Other local coronavirus information:

HOW TO GET TESTED

  • Union County has added mobile walk up test sites in addition to the testing site located at Kean University. Testing is free for Union County residents and is by appointment only with no car required; participants must wear masks and observe social distance. Any Union County resident can make an appointment for a test, whether they have symptoms. To pick a location, date and time, and to make an appointment online, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/walk-up.

  • For other testing, Union County residents who need to make an appointment by phone can call 908-518-4307 for assistance. Non-profit organizations and other community groups can call the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881 to request a visit from the Mobile Test Unit.

SCHOOLS

  • A week ago, Cranford’s superintendent of schools announced that an elementary school student had tested positive for the virus.

  • Read more about that and the school plan here.

LIBRARY

  • The Library is open with limited open hours for browsing new books in adult, young adult, children, and media collections. This will be in a new, dedicated space inside the Walnut Avenue entrance area.

  • For more information about the Library hours, programs, Grab & Go, Lending the Internet, and getting a Library card please click here or call 709-7272.

COMMUNITY CENTER

  • Community organizations and clubs are invited to reserve rooms for meetings or activities. The staff has information about maximum capacity for each room in the Community Center and will assist you in booking a room to best accommodate your group.

  • The gym and teen room remain closed and programs will not resume in person at this time.

  • To reserve a room or get more information call 908-709-7283.

GYMS

  • Gov. Murphy signed an executive order allowing gyms, health clubs, and indoor amusement facilities to reopen at 25 percent capacity effective Sept. 1. Equipment must be adjusted to allow a minimum of six feet of distance, and must be sanitized between uses. Everyone must wear masks. More details can be found here.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

  • During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor’s office if you are experiencing difficulties.

  • The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.

  • New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.

  • Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can’t work due to your child’s school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

  • As of two weeks ago, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said. The state also announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1.

  • New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.

  • The state released death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.

  • You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.

  • Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

  • NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/

  • General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1

  • NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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This article originally appeared on the Cranford Patch

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Categories: Recreation