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2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19)

COVID-19 (“coronavirus disease 2019”) is the disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in humans in China. Morris County is taking action to curb the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 Testing Center

The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1.

In order to be tested, you MUST

  • have a COVID-19 test prescription from your healthcare provider
  • read and accept the consent form
  • have an appointment

Sign up for an appointment online – visit the COVID-19 testing page for details.

Morris County COVID-19 Cases

Note: Case numbers are updated in the afternoons on Monday-Friday. For statewide numbers, visit the State of NJ COVID-19 Dashboard.

Cumulative COVID-19 Cases (as of 3:26PM, 4/27)
Municipality 4/17 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/24 4/27
Town of Boonton 69 76 76 78 81 82 86
Township of Boonton 43 48 48 52 53 53 54
Borough of Butler 57 62 64 64 65 68 71
Borough of Chatham 44 44 46 46 50 51 52
Township of Chatham 84 90 90 93 102 103 107
Borough of Chester 3 2 3 4 4 6 7
Township of Chester 25 27 29 30 31 32 36
Township of Denville 95 105 106 113 114 114 129
Town of Dover 322 373 401 414 464 463 510
Township of East Hanover 87 95 100 103 107 111 118
Borough of Florham Park 77 82 86 88 90 90 100
Township of Hanover 126 136 136 138 140 140 151
Township of Harding 21 22 22 22 21 21 22
Township of Jefferson 116 136 146 150 154 155 172
Borough  of Kinnelon 37 44 49 49 53 53 53
Borough of Lincoln Park 184 209 217 226 232 239 247
Township of Long Hill 30 35 37 37 37 40 41
Borough of Madison 72 79 82 86 96 95 102
Borough of Mendham 28 31 31 31 37 38 35
Township of Mendham 30 31 33 33 34 34 33
Township of Mine Hill 28 31 34 39 44 44 50
Township of Montville 139 155 160 166 177 181 191
Borough of Morris Plains 41 44 46 47 48 48 51
Township of Morris 183 193 200 206 213 212 225
Town of Morristown 280 310 323 335 361 361 390
Borough of Mount Arlington 32 35 36 37 41 40 44
Township of Mount Olive 160 185 190 194 198 198 211
Borough of Mountain Lakes 14 17 17 17 17 17 17
Borough of Netcong 20 23 24 23 24 24 26
Township of Parsippany 415 485 505 519 523 529 568
Township of Pequannock 122 133 133 135 141 145 151
Township of Randolph 189 204 211 220 220 222 236
Borough of Riverdale 22 26 26 26 27 28 30
Borough of Rockaway 59 67 73 73 75 75 82
Township of Rockaway 158 174 184 186 187 188 200
Township of Roxbury 137 150 156 162 180 183 197
Borough of Victory Gardens 19 22 23 23 24 24 28
Township of Washington 60 74 78 79 83 83 92
Borough of Wharton 97 102 106 111 120 118 133
TOTALS 3725 4157 4327 4455 4668 4708 5048

The figures reflect COVID-19 positive cases as of the date and time indicated, some cases which may be pending, or have yet to be entered into the system.

Please note the following limitations and provisos related to the data above:

  • COVID-19-related deaths are not included in this data. Visit the State of NJ COVID-19 Dashboard for a summary of death totals.
  • Pursuant to HIPAA, specific identifying health information of persons testing positive or who have passed due to the virus will not be released.
  • Data reflects COVID-19 positive cases on dates and times indicated; some cases may be pending and are not yet entered.
  • Data may not include cases with incomplete or incorrect street addresses or PO boxes. Such cases require additional investigation by local health officials.
  • Figures do not include persons under quarantine/isolation due to exposure and who have not tested positive.
  • The numbers, especially higher numbers, do not necessarily reflect community spread in a specific town. Various factors may be related to high numbers, such as increased testing and facilities with high-risk populations.
  • This data should not be used to gauge if heightened precautions are needed in specific towns. Social distancing, hand hygiene, and preventive steps must be followed at all times regardless of the number of cases in a municipality.

Updates from Morris County

Announcements

For older announcements, visit the COVID-19 Announcements page.

Cancellations and Service Updates

Courts & Legal

Library

  • The Morris County Library is closed. All programs and use of conference and public rooms are canceled for April. For updates, visit the library website.

Human Services

  • The Office of Temporary Assistance asks residents to apply online or by phone for enrollment to programs. Due to COVID-19 and a rise in applications, you may experience longer wait times. Read more at the OTA website.
    • Extended Hours service at OTA is temporarily suspended.
    • OTA Dover office is closed.
    • OTA main office on West Hanover Avenue in Morris Township is open but public access is limited. Staff will be at the front door to answer questions.
    • All applications will be taken by phone, mail or online. A drop box will be placed at the OTA main building for completed applications and mail.
    • Information regarding applications, recertification and more can be found at https://hs.morriscountynj.gov/ota/
    • Main Office Phone: 973-326-7800
    • Dover Office Phone: 973-682-4990
  • Senior Home Delivered Meals are still in operation. The Congregate Meals have been converted to home delivery or takeout.
  • Morris Area Paratransit System: MAPS continues to operate by providing rides to persons with ongoing life-sustaining needs, medical appointments, and employment. We encourage persons with active symptoms of coughing, fever, or shortness of breath not to utilize these vehicles, as we want to continue to provide support to those with ongoing needs.
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Clinic: The Morris View location is closed. The VA is conducting video-to-home and telephone visits.
  • One Stop Employment Centers: Both the One-Stop Center at 1 Medical Drive in Parsippany and the One-Stop Center in Randolph, at 13 Emery Avenue, are closed.
  • SNAP recipients: If your case is due to be recertified in April and you were unable to get your paperwork to us or complete your interview, your case will not be closed. You will receive your benefits on the usual day. Your case will be recertified in the future, once this public health crisis has settled. In the meantime, you will continue to receive SNAP benefits. Visit the State of NJ site for more details.
  • All scheduled Navigating Hope stops are canceled until further notice.

Law & Public Safety

  • The Morris County Sheriff’s Office will place a hold on all Sheriff’s Sales until at least May 7. Please check the Sheriff’s website for updates.
  • Due to the COVID-19 outbreak across the nation and state, changes have been made to visits to the Morris County Correctional Facility:
    • Inmate visits with family are temporarily suspended until further notice.
    • Non-contact visits between attorneys and inmates can occur through glass partitions on an emergency basis only. Attorneys and inmates will otherwise communicate via video-conferencing.
    • Professional visits to inmates are limited to emergencies only, and must be approved by a Facility Security Captain.
  • The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is suspending all reception desk services and in-person contact to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. If you have questions, call 973-285-6200 or email [email protected].
  • All classes at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy are suspended. For updates, visit the Academy website.

Elections

  • The Morris County Board of Elections is closed. All voter registration applications and/or change of party affiliation forms should be mailed to the Board of Elections. Questions can be emailed to [email protected]. There are no changes to the June primary election at this time. Visit the State’s  candidate petitions page for information on where to email or mail petitions.
  • The Morris County Clerk recommends that all documents for Registry be filed and recorded by mail or using e-filing. A drop-off box is available in the Administration & Records Building (10 Court St, Morristown). The following departments are closed to the public: Records/Vault, Election, Notary, Passport, Wedding Services, ID Cards. Get more updates from the Clerk.

Schools

  • The Morris County School of Technology is closed until further notice. A distance learning plan has been created.  View their COVID-19 page for more information.
  • The Morris County Chamber of Commerce has gone virtual! Our physical offices may be closed, but the chamber staff is ready to help you. Call 973-539-3882 or visit https://www.morrischamber.org/chamber-team.html to contact us.  If you need a Certificate of Origin, please contact Dina O’Keefe at [email protected]. Our in-person meetings are postponed until further notice, but we have a full schedule of virtual meetings and events.
  • The County College of Morris campus is closed. CCM classes have moved online and the college is working remotely. Visit www.ccm.edu/covid-19-information-center for up-to-date information and resources.

Parks & Culture

  • The Morris County Heritage Commission is closed until further notice.
  • All Morris County Park Commission parks, trails, campsites, historic sites, and facilities are closed as of April 8, in accordance with NJ Executive Order 118. For more updates, visit https://www.morrisparks.net/.
  • Morristown National Historical Park is closed. NHP will offer no services outside those that support visitor or resource protection.

Other County Services

  • The Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting will be held via conference call on April 22. Phone Number: 1-201-546-5293; Guest Passcode: 439862.
  • Board and commission meetings are canceled or being done remotely. Please check the county calendar for updates.
  • Historic Preservation Trust Fund applications are now due April 24. There are changes to how applications should be submitted; please see the Historic Preservation application page.
  • The Morris County Soil Conservation District is closed.
  • All Planning & Preservation staff have been sent home indefinitely. Public access to the office is restricted. The Land Development Review Section will continue to process applications and issue reports within the 30-day statutory period and may request an additional 30-day extension if necessary.
  • Open Public Records Requests may be delayed. Governor has modified the deadline for responses to requests for government records during the emergency period. Go to our OPRA page for more information.
  • The Housing Authority continues to operate but is closed to the public. Anyone wishing to apply for public housing can do so on the website. Public housing tenants, Section 8 participants and landlords, should email assigned caseworkers. If unsure, call 973 540-0389 or email [email protected].
  • If you wish to place a public bid on county contracts, you are encouraged to not attend bid openings in person – use the mail or a dropbox at the Administration Building. Read more about bid openings.

Executive Order No. 107

According to Executive Order No. 107, as of March 21, 2020, all NJ residents shall remain home unless they are:

  • Obtaining goods or services from essential businesses
  • Obtaining takeout
  • Seeking medical attention
  • Visiting family members as a caretaker or romantic partner
  • Reporting to or performing their job
  • Engaging in outdoor activities (social distance permitting)
  • Leaving home for an educational, religious, or political reason
  • For safety
  • At the direction of law enforcement or a government agency

Emergency Declaration

On March 19, 2020, Morris County issued an Emergency Declaration:

Per the emergency declaration, the following types of businesses are ordered closed, within the geographic borders of Morris County, effective 8 p.m. today, March 19:

Any Indoor Public or Private Recreational Bathing Facilities regulated by local health departments;

Indoor Recreational Facilities, including but not limited to those providing amusement activities, trampoline parks, miniature golf, batting cages, racquetball/tennis centers, and ice rinks;

The following restrictions also go into effect immediately:

All playgrounds and all playing fields within Morris County shall be closed immediately;

Parks may remain open for only passive recreation, with the following restrictions to be enforced;

  • no organized or directed activities are allowed;
  • all park activities that bring together groups of more than four individuals (other than family members) are prohibited, including playgrounds, dog runs, amusement rides, and stables (except for the care of horses at stables).

FAQ

Can I wear gloves instead of handwashing?

Gloves are NOT a substitute for proper handwashing and sanitation. While gloves can be a preventative measure, you can still touch your face wearing gloves, and if you don’t take them off properly you can spread the virus. For more information on hand hygiene, visit https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/.

How many cases are there in Morris County?

View our estimate of the cumulative cases by town in Morris County. However, due to how cases are reported, from medical practitioners to local health departments, then to the state, we do not have a fully accurate count of the number of cases. The New Jersey Department of Health has an interactive dashboard that gives a rough estimate of the number.

I’m having trouble coping, what can I do?

This is an unprecedented time, and taking care of our mental health is important. You can call the NJ Mental Health Cares hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357) for immediate support, and follow our list of ways to cope for suggestions: keeping a schedule, limiting news consumption, connecting with family and friends online, and more.

Where should I go for information about coronavirus?

Visit the CDC or New Jersey Department of Health websites for the most accurate, up-to-date information. For more local information, contact your health department.

What You Can Do

Steps you can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent coronavirus:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home while you are sick and avoid contact with others
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

Currently, there are no vaccines available to prevent novel coronavirus infections.

Morris County residents should contact their local health departments with their questions and concerns.

For more information, visit the following:

Novel Coronavirus Public Call Center (NJPIES): 1-800-222-1222

Get Employment Help

Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire. Learn more about who is hiring in your community: visit the State of NJ COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal.

Find a Service Provider

Read the 2020 Morris County Resource List for information about services providers in Morris County, including childcare, healthcare, transportation and more. Service may be halted by individual providers due to COVID-19, so call to confirm what services are available.

Information for Businesses

For information regarding financial assistance, please visit the State of New Jersey’s website for businesses and COVID-19 or call 1-800-JERSEY-7. To apply directly to the Small Business Administration for a loan, visit the SBA online loan application.

New! NJDEA Small Business Emergency Assistance Grants are now available! Apply now through April 10.

Note for restaurants: From the governor’s office – We can confirm that places can continue their delivery/take-out services beyond 8 PM; whatever their normal business hours are. Get more information about business operations.

Read The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

Printouts

Business owners are encouraged to print and hang these flyers for the safety of their staff and the public:

Chamber of Commerce Webinars

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce is presenting a series of virtual seminars with topics that are relevant to the new reality of life with COVID-19. Learn more about these free webinars and sign up today!

Chamber of Commerce Facebook Groups

Join these Facebook groups to share resources and hear directly from the Chamber of Commerce:

Our Volunteers

We want to thank all of the volunteers who have been crucial in our COVID-19 efforts:

The Morris County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), whose members have been helping with our call center

The following people and organizations, who have donated supplies and materials:

  • Kris and Jennifer Holstein
  • Kim Tkacs
  • Aimee Puluso and the Montville Health Department
  • Kevin and Lisa Gorman

Information from the CDC