COVID19 Updates from the Command Center
Get regular updates on HMH COVID-19 response, policies and protocols
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As of 12:00 p.m. on March 19, New Jersey is reporting 742 presumptive positive COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) cases and nine deaths due to COVID-19. Click here to see New Jersey's positive COVID-19 cases by county.
New Jersey's first drive-thru COVID-19 testing center opened Friday at Bergen Community College in Paramus. A second testing site is scheduled to open next week at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.
HMH has begun limited use of its COVID-19 test. The test was developed by our Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI). For FAQs about the test click here. Learn more about the test from Dr. Perlin by clicking here.
COVID-19 Resources
*Updated* Clinical Protocols and Policies under the HMH Protocols and Policies menu
Bergen County Department of Health Services' Health & Safety Hotline: 201-225-7000 (after hours and weekends: 201-785-8505)
Monmouth County COVID-19 Hotline for Residents: 732-845-2070
- *UPDATED* Surgical Mask and N95 Respirator Guidelines, 03.20.20
- *NEW* Epic Action Item- COVID-19 Ordering, 03.19.20
- *NEW* CDC FAQ for Healthcare Professionals
- *NEW* How to collect a Nasopharyngeal Swab Procedure
- Watch these quick videos on proper donning and doffing of protective equipment.
- Download the CDC's Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment.
- COVID-19: When and How to Access Care
- COVID-19 Handout: What to Know
Hackensack Meridian Health has a COVID-19 command center open at the network's headquarters. Email HMHCommandCenter@HackensackMeridian.org or call 848-888-4488 with any questions or concerns.
Infection Prevention Actions
HMH is taking the following actions to further protect the health and safety of our patients, team members, physicians and the community:
- Postponing non-urgent and non-emergency hospital/campus-based surgeries and procedures for two weeks. This new policy was fully implemented and in effect Tuesday, March 17.
- Instituting universal masking of all team members at all HMH sites of care as of Friday, March 20.
- Requesting all team members to self-monitor their temperature before they report to work.
- Suspending in-person visitation has been suspended at all of our hospitals and nursing and rehabilitation facilities, except in special circumstances. Download the HMH Visitation Restriction Sign (11x17), 03.12.20
- Restricting the cafeterias in our medical centers to team member use only.
- Suspending all team member domestic and international business travel for 30 days.
- Postponing events and meetings involving more than 20 people, or changing the meeting to a virtual format.
Situational Updates
As of 8:03 a.m. on March 20, the U.S. is reporting more than 12,390 COVID-19 cases as well as 195deaths, including nine deaths in New Jersey. The virus has sickened more than 244,100 people globally and killed more than 10,180.
The CDC has updated its criteria to evaluate potential COVID-19 cases. Click here to check out the CDC's patient evaluation criteria.
On Monday, President Donald Trump released his guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19. You can view the guidelines here. The President has suspended all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new travel ban went into effect Friday, March 13 at 11:59 p.m. White House administration is also considering some domestic travel restrictions. Click to view the CDC's Updated Travel Risk Assessment.
Materials Management is actively tracking Hackensack Meridian Health's supplies. To maintain adequate supply, team members are asked to only use personal protective equipment (PPE) when appropriate.
A reminder, the Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) PCR assay only detects common coronaviruses. This assay does not test for and cannot detect COVID-19, SARS, or MERS.