NJAASC has curated authoritative information and a list of resources for our Membership’s reference. We will continue to update this as more information becomes available.
PAST COVID E-BLAST HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED DUE TO SPACE RESTRAINTS AND TO KEEP THINGS CURRENT.
NJAASC HELPING CENTERS- SEE BELOW FOR HELPFUL TESTING INFORMATION
Please see the information below and here for rapid testing you may want to take advantage of from Sonic.
TINA KROKUS
Regional Sales Director, Northeast
AURORA DIAGNOSTICS
Pathology Solutions
Laboratory of Dermatopathology (LDP)
Seacoast Pathology
Mobile 516-297-9777
Fax 866-417-9438
ANOTHER LAB OFFERING TO HELP NJ ASCs
Here is another laboratory offering preoperative rapid COVID testing for NJ ASCs.
You might want to contact them and take advantage.
Click below for information about their tests.
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Roberts
304-281-1999
Pricing for small orders per test is $22
Larger orders pricing can be reduced to $20
NJDOH COMMISSIONER AND STAFF QUARANTINE
CDC CONSIDERS REDUCING COVID-19 SELF QUARANTINE
CDC is considering reducing the 14 day COVID-19 quarantine to 10 days
COVID UPDATE FROM GOVERNOR
Cases continue to significantly increase. Governor Murphy has consistently asked residents to modify their holiday plans to have smaller celebrations. The Governor and Health Commissioner have expressed concerns that we will see even greater increases in positive cases 10-14 days after the Thanksgiving holiday, resulting in increases in hospital patients. Governor Murphy did not announce any new restrictions this week, though he has repeatedly said all options are “on the table.”
Earlier today, Governor Murphy announced an additional 4,073 positive cases bringing the total number of cases in New Jersey to 317,905, reflecting a daily percent positivity of 8.93%. That is an increase of over 20,500 positive cases since last Friday. The Governor announced an additional 50 deaths bringing the total number of lives lost in New Jersey to 15,057. We have not seen as large a number of reported deaths in one day since July. There are a total of 2,902 hospitalized patients. 545 individuals are in intensive or critical care and 281 individuals are on ventilators, all higher than last week. The number of hospitalized patients is 397 higher than last week, the number of patients in intensive or critical care is 93 higher and the number of patients on ventilators is 48 more than last Friday. The rate of transmission today was 1.24, slightly lower than last Friday's rate of transmission of 1.4.
Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 200 which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, and October 24. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order No. 200 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor's authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.
This afternoon, Governor Murphy issued the following statement on the New Jersey Travel Advisory Guidance: "As COVID-19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate throughout our nation, New Jersey will no longer utilize previously outlined metrics to inform its travel advisory. Given the increased risk of spreading COVID-19 for both residents who travel outside the state and for visitors into the state, New Jersey continues to strongly discourage all non-essential interstate travel at this time. Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging for the CDC recommended period, which is currently 14 days. The Department of Health will issue additional information in the coming days regarding travel precautions. Individuals should continue to abide by the state's current guidance until a new policy is issued."
There were no committee meetings or voting sessions this week and there are no committee meetings or voting sessions scheduled for next week.
CDRSS REPORTING
Remember, if you are doing your own testing, you must use the reporting platform. Centers have reported to me that they are not getting responses. See below from the Department
We realize that there have been significant delays regarding onboarding of users to CDRSS. The Department is working on a tech solution that aims to simplify the reporting process.
In the meantime, there are no plans to fine/shutdown centers that are making good faith efforts to comply – including notifying their LHD of results (especially important that notification occurs for positive results).
Ed
Edward Lifshitz, MD, FACP
Medical Director
Infectious and Zoonotic Disease Program
Communicable Disease Service
