MORRIS COUNTY — Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics received an amended emergency use authorization from the FDA late Thursday for the first SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test that will allow people to collect their own saliva at home and send to a lab for results.

The decision follows the FDA’s recent emergency approval to RUCDR Infinite Biologics for the first saliva-based test, which involves health care workers collecting saliva from individuals at testing sites.

The new at-home saliva self-collection assay, developed by RUCDR in partnership with Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs, allows for broader screening than through the standard method using nose and throat swabs at a healthcare facility or testing location that requires a physical interaction with a healthcare professional.

“The impact of this approval means that not only do we no longer have to put healthcare professionals at risk for infection by performing nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal collections, we can now preserve precious PPE for use in patient care instead of testing and can significantly increase the number of people collected each and every day in places other than a healthcare setting,” said Andrew Brooks, chief operating officer and director of technology development at RUCDR, who also is a professor in the School of Arts and Sciences Department of Genetics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

“This will enable testing for people that do not have the means to get to a collection center and/or are at home because they are sick, quarantined, at increased risk for infection, or simply concerned about exposing themselves by traveling to a collection site. This approach will have a significant impact on helping people in New Jersey and across the United States get back to work as we will be able to monitor large numbers of people in a variety of locations.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy announced the formation of a statewide council of leaders to advise on New Jersey’s restart and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council will work in conjunction with the commission named last week and will bring together leaders from various industry, community, and faith-based groups and institutions across New Jersey to advise state leadership on economic issues impacted by the pandemic.

“As we begin the difficult task of restarting New Jersey’s economy and recovering from the damaging effects of COVID-19, this advisory council brings together leaders from all walks of New Jersey life,” said Governor Murphy. “This group will not only help us gather the local intelligence we need to get our economy running again, but also will help us create the framework for coping with our new long-term economic realities.”

In addition to focusing on issues surrounding the short-term restarting of New Jersey’s economy, this council also will begin the task of positioning the economy and creating a framework for the long-term recovery.

The council will be co-chaired by New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan, and Choose New Jersey President and CEO Jose Lozano. The council will have nine subcommittees, each of which will be chaired by a council co-chair.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of life and every sector of our economy in some way. As we plan for how we can ensure New Jersey remains a place where opportunity meets innovation, I am honored to join many of our state’s most talented thought leaders, as well as my state colleagues, to ensure we are not overlooking any aspect of a successful recovery,” said Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, Secretary of Higher Education. “The work of this council will complement a group of higher education leaders who will consider the role of higher education in the state’s restart and recovery efforts.”
“COVID-19 is first and foremost a public health crisis, but it’s also an economic crisis on a scale that outpaces anything in recent memory. Restarting and then driving a recovery of our economy will require comprehensive input from a wide spectrum of economic and community stakeholders, and Governor Murphy has assembled an extraordinary group of New Jerseyans to help guide these efforts via this council,” EDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “I’m honored to join Zakiya, Jose and the Governor’s Office to help lead this effort to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient economic future for New Jersey.”

“I look forward to working with New Jersey Higher Education Secretary Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis and NJ Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan to co-chair the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, as well as various industry leaders and community members, to rebuild our economy in the wake of the worst pandemic of our lifetime,” said Jose Lozano, CEO of Choose New Jersey. “It is critical that we engage our state’s business community and help them every step of the way on the road to recovery. As a blueprint for restarting New Jersey’s economy is developed, we’ll look to the council to advise on short and long-term considerations and opportunities. I look forward to working with committee members to ensure New Jersey rebuilds stronger than ever from this crisis.”

The advisory council subcommittees will begin virtual meetings next week. The nine subcommittees are Facilities and Construction; Government; Health Care; Main Street; Manufacturing and Supply Chain; Professional Services; Social Services and Faith; Tourism and Entertainment; and Transportation and Infrastructure.

While the commission named by Governor Murphy last week will focus on national, state, and macroeconomic issues surrounding the restarting, the advisory council will take a microeconomic view of the recovery, determining the individual challenges that each sector faces. The advisory council is expected to remain empaneled for as long as necessary to advise the Governor on the state’s recovery.

“We understand that we need a smart, granular approach to recovery. How you reopen a restaurant at the shore is different from how you restart a factory in South Jersey,” Governor Murphy noted. “This council will also be guided by our core principle of building a New Jersey that is stronger and fairer and works for every family.”

Members of the council and their respective committees can be found by clicking here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio has obtained a letter sent by the New Jersey Department of Health dated March 31 directing hospitals and nursing care facilities not to inhibit the transfer of hospital patients with COVID-19 entering post-acute care settings such as long-term nursing and rehabilitation facilities.

The letter also states “post-acute care facilities are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized patient/resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission. (Click here for letter)

“New Jersey has continually cited testing as a way to identify and respond to COVID-19.  Therefore, it doesn’t make sense that we would specifically not want to test patients who would enter isolated nursing homes containing our most vulnerable population,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic).

Senator Pennacchio criticized the administration for taking extra care of prisoners before they became COVID-infected by releasing them from prisons yet forcing nursing facilities to accept patients with COVID, then locking the doors.

The Senator pointed to initial warnings that the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. started with an outbreak and multiple deaths in a Washington State nursing facility.

“Applying science and reason, one would surmise that releasing a highly contagious pathogen in an isolated and vulnerable location, like a nursing home, could have devastating effects, and it did,” added Pennacchio.

The Department of Health cites Executive Order No. 103 signed by Governor Murphy on March 3.  New Jersey is the number one state in the union with 50% of its COVID-19 deaths occurring in long term nursing facilities. (Click here for Executive Order 103)

“The State of New Jersey has direct regulatory oversight over these nursing facilities.  Although the population of nursing homes makes up less than 0.7% of the Garden State’s population, the 4,151 deaths in these facilities account for half of all New Jersey’s COVID-19 deaths,” concluded Senator Pennacchio.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the ramp from Route 10 westbound to I-287 northbound, and one lane in each direction on Route 10, will be closed this weekend as a roadway improvement project advances in Hanover, Morris County.

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 8, until 7:00 a.m. Monday, May 11, NJDOT’s contractor, Crisdel Construction Group, Inc., is scheduled to close the ramp from Route 10 westbound to I-287 northbound, as well as one lane on Route 10 in each direction in the vicinity of the I-287 interchange in Hanover.  This closure will allow the contractor to complete a full-box reconstruction of the roadway.  One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times during the weekend closures.  Additional lane closures on Route 10 westbound are scheduled for next weekend as the roadway reconstruction continues.  The following signed detour will be in place this weekend:

Route 10 westbound to I-287 northbound detour:

• Motorists traveling on Route 10 westbound wishing to take the ramp to I-287 northbound will be directed to continue on Route 10 westbound
• Take Ridgedale Avenue South U-turn (Dryden Way/Ridgedale Avenue/Cedar Knolls exit)
• Stay left for Ridgedale Avenue/Cedar Knolls
• Keep right and take the ramp to Route 10 eastbound
• Take the ramp to I-287 northbound

The $4.5 million state-funded project will reconstruct a half-mile portion of Route 10 westbound, which is in poor condition.  The project also includes the installation of improved overhead signage and guiderail replacement, which will be completed during the week following the completion of weekend closures.

Advance warning and variable messaging signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.

MORRIS COUNTY — This week’s concert features Morristown resident Munah Hayes.  The concert will take place at 12:30 p.m. by clicking here and will be posted on our website later in the day.

Munah Hayes first realized that she could sing while participating in the youth choir at United Methodist Church in Morristown. She has had the pleasure of singing with many bands that have covered every genre of music. Her favorite genre however, is gospel music mixed with a dash of freestyle funk. Her personal musical philosophy is to let your heart reveal itself through your melodic voice. She believes that music is the most powerful tool that brings everyone together in harmony.

MORRIS COUNTY — Co-Chairs Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Pete King (NY-02) today led a meeting of the Regional Recovery Task Force with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to discuss the region’s plans to reopen the economy.

The Members of Congress and the Governors underscored the need for cooperation and communication at the state and federal level to help the Northeast. They also addressed specific areas where officials could work together, including contact tracing and testing, infrastructure investment, support for small businesses, and support for state and local governments.

“Our task force is built upon the simple fact that it is going to take all of us working together to address the needs of our region as we look to reopening the economy,” said Rep. Sherrill. “That means not only working with members across the aisle, but also working closely with our state partners. I thank Governor Murphy and Governor Lamont for speaking with the Regional Recovery Task Force and emphasizing key areas where more coordination between the states and Congress can help our region move forward.”

“I truly thank Gov. Murphy and Gov. Lamont for the cooperation they have given New York and the entire Northeast region,” said Rep. King. “I made it a point to assure both Governors that our Task Force addresses this terrible pandemic not as blue states or red states but as Americans.”

“Staying in contact with state officials in our region is paramount to successfully reopening our country,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “If one state or locality in our region doesn’t safely open, it puts us all in jeopardy. I am grateful that this Task Force has continued to organize these discussions, and I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues at the local, state, and federal levels as we work to safely open up our country.”

“States and municipalities are going to need to do an enormous amount of testing and contact tracing to get us to the point where we can safely reopen,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “As the Task Force’s only member of the Appropriations Committee I’m committed to ensuring that we have the resources necessary to keep our residents safe.”

“We need to ensure a regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic and leverage the full resources of the federal government during this unprecedented time,” said Governor Murphy. “I’m proud to work with the Congressional COVID-19 Regional Recovery Task Force, especially Co-Chairs Representative Sherill and Representative King, to guarantee the tri-state region receives its fair share of direct federal assistance.”

“Communication and coordination among states and between states and the federal government has never been more important than it is now,” said Governor Lamont. “Connecticut shares a border with three other states, but is part of a much larger and interconnected regional economy. And we know that this virus doesn’t care at all about our borders. So I applaud Representatives Sherrill, King, Himes, and all the other members of this bipartisan Task Force for banding together on a regional basis to consider what more Congress and the federal government can do to support our state and local governments. Their leadership is commendable. And I was pleased to participate in their meeting along with my friend and colleague, Gov. Murphy.”

Rep. Sherrill and Rep. King formed the Regional Recovery Task Force with Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). The task force is working with leading experts across key fields to put forth bipartisan recommendations and policy proposals for near- and medium-term efforts to get Americans back to work, and address critical questions facing the United States in the coming weeks and months, particularly in the Northeast.

Click here to download The Regional Recovery Task Force’s first report.