Author: Web Site Administrator

Today the Union County Freeholder Board, Sheriff Peter Corvelli and his officers assisted in the distribution of 14 pallets of fresh and shelf-safe food in partnership with United Way of Greater Union County. The food, donated by Amazon Logistics, was provided to United Way and transferred to  20 local social service agencies that will give it to individuals and families in need throughout Union County.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I thank Amazon, United Way, and our local partners for working together to bring relief to families who are struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The need is great, and I hope this generous donation inspires other acts of giving in our community.”

“Today’s effort builds on our longstanding, collaborative efforts with business leaders, nonprofits and local relief agencies. Thanks to Amazon and United Way, we are able to redouble our efforts to provide assistance to our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who organized the distribution with Freeholder Angela R. Garretson.

“The invaluable partnership with the United Way of Greater Union County and our local municipalities benefit from so many acts of kindness.  The Amazon donations are greatly appreciated, as each substantially advances support for individuals and families in Union County,” said Freeholder Garretson.

“This is a very important milestone in our charge to ensure Union County residents continue to have access to food during this time of the pandemic. Thanks to the continued support of Amazon Logistics, the partnership with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and our community partners, we will be able to help alleviate some of those barriers families face as result of the Coronavirus,” said James W. Horne, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County.

Organizations and businesses and that wish to donate food in Union County can contact Nathalie Hernandez, coordinator of the Union County Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, at nhernandez@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak,  including guidance on the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

The Union County Freeholder Board is set to introduce the 2020 budget with a zero percent tax increase this Thursday at its regular Freeholder meeting that will be broadcast on the County’s website, beginning at 5 p.m.

The 2020 budget will maintain all essential services, with no layoffs. It continues the County’s trend of fiscally responsible budgets, and maintains the County’s bond rating which is the highest attainable.

“Knowing the impact the COVID-19 epidemic is having on our residents and business owners, I instructed Fiscal Chairman Granados and our County Manager to tighten the budget as much as possible and deliver a zero percent tax increase,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This was not an easy task given the pressures that all governing agencies are under, but it was absolutely necessary.”

Freeholder Fiscal Committee Chairman Sergio Granados stated: “We know our residents and businesses have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are announcing a zero percent increase in Union County’s 2020 budget. We worked hard to find a middle ground that allowed us to fund the response, avoid layoffs and hold the bottom line.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a Catch-22 situation for our residents and all governing agencies. Unemployment has surged, revenue sources have been greatly diminished, while funding is needed to respond to the pandemic and assist our residents and business owners,” Granados said. “Through our collaborative efforts, we’ve been able to achieve our goals.”

Both Mirabella and Granados thanked the other Freeholder Fiscal Committee members, Christopher Hudak, Rebecca Williams, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, County Manager Edward T. Oatman, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner and Finance Director Bibi Taylor and her staff for leading the effort.  Both Freeholders also thanked all the County Directors who were asked to adjust their budgets accordingly.

Residents looking to make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to help support babies in need within local communities by donating to a non profit organization of their choice, through Union County’s Project Hope.

“Project Hope is an opportunity for everyone in Union County to pitch in and help those who need it the most,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Project Hope is organized by the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity. It provides an online platform for connecting donors with local organizations providing assistance to babies. 

Donors have the option to either provide a monetary donation directly to the nonprofit of their choosing, or mail items such as diapers, baby formula, and baby wipes directly to the nonprofit, with the addresses provided on the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity. 

To learn more or donate please visit the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity webpage: http://ucnj.org/community-engagement-and-diversity

For more information please contact Nathalie Hernandez, Office of Community Engagement & Diversity, nahernandez@ucnj.org, 908-527-4880.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

As of this weekend, the Union County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Center has surpassed 7,000 tests to Union County residents, emergency responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities in New Jersey. The first responders and medical personnel have come from as far south as Cape May County and as far north as Sussex County.

The drive-thru is currently serving Union County residents, but is also open to emergency personnel and medical workers from outside Union County. Testing is free.

“Besides serving Union County residents, our Union County COVID-19 test facility has also been a great benefit to first responders and medical workers across the state,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This is a credit to the many major public and private partners throughout Union County we’ve marshalled in the effort to create and run this potentially life-saving service. We are proud that our Union County COVID-19 center has become one of the best run facilities in the state, and that we are able to share it with those in need.”

Union County residents from all 21 municipalities have received tests at the facility, as well as first responders and medical personnel from more than 180 municipalities outside the County.    

The testing center in Union County has been regarded as a model around the state, outpacing FEMA sites with the largest volume of tests performed, highest clinical standards and most efficient burn rate for personal protective equipment in New Jersey.

The Kean site has been built on a clinical model that has patients in contact with a clinician at the front end and back end of the testing to ensure that individuals who need the test are receiving it.

With a positive rate of 59% at the site, 10% higher than the state average,  data shows that the Union County COVID-19 Center is identifying the right individuals who are in the CDC defined high risk category.

Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, who is supervising the facility, thanked the efforts of the medical workers, volunteers, staff and the Army New Jersey National Guard.

“Without their efforts, the drive-through would not be possible,” said Moran. “We have worked collaboratively to create a system that maximizes the efficient use of hard-to-find resources, and one that treats our patients efficiently and with compassion.”

About 48 percent of the patients are coming into the testing site through a physician which allows the county health office to follow up with doctors with results. This allows a greater continuity of care with those that have tested positive and may be experiencing symptoms.

The Union County Covid-19 Test Center has expanded its operations since opening several weeks ago, and has been open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence.

Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105. 

For the safety, health and security of the volunteers at the site, the testing location does not allow patients without vehicles to enter the campus. If you do not have your own transportation, please discuss with your healthcare provider before scheduling an appointment.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019.  If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, there is a self-assessment tool that you should use that has been developed by the State of New Jersey. This tool will assist you to determine what actions you can take to protect you and your loved ones’ health and help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19, and can be accessed at https://self.covid19.nj.gov/

The Union County COVID 19 drive-through facility is being run by the County through a partnership with the Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) in Summit, the Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ Barnabas Health) in Rahway. The Freeholder Board, County Manager and his staff worked with State Senators Joseph P. Cryan, Nicholas P. Scutari, Governor Phil Murphy’s office, Kean University, and the New Jersey State Department of Health in bringing the facility online.

The Union County Freeholder Board would like to thank all the volunteers, County staff, medical professionals, first responders, NJ National Guard members, and Kean University staff who have worked so courageously hard over the past several weeks to keep the Union County Covid-19 drive-through test center going.  Today, the facility is expected to reach 7,000 tests by the end of the day.

The Union County COVID-19 Center will surpass its 3,000th test today since opening approximately two weeks ago on March 23rd.

The facility is located at Kean University in Union and is managed through Union County, and is staffed by medical personnel, volunteers, first responders and Union County employees. Testing is free.

“This is a milestone, given all the challenges and adverse conditions we faced in setting up the Union County Covid-19 Test Center,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We hope to continue to provide this invaluable, potentially life-saving service as often and as long as warranted.”

The Union County Covid-19 Test Center has expanded its operations, and has been open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is now testing over 400 people a day, with 59 percent testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The testing center in Union County has been regarded as a model around the state, outpacing FEMA sites with the largest volume of tests performed, highest clinical standards and most efficient burn rate for personal protective equipment in New Jersey.

The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence.

Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105. 

For the safety, health and security of the volunteers at the site, the testing location does not allow patients without vehicles to enter the campus. If you do not have your own transportation, please discuss with your healthcare provider before scheduling an appointment.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019.  If you believe you may have symptoms of COVID-19, there is a self-assessment tool that you should use that has been developed by the State of New Jersey. This tool will assist you to determine what actions you can take to protect you and your loved ones’ health and help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19, and can be accessed at https://self.covid19.nj.gov/

The Union County COVID 19 drive-through facility is being run by the County through a partnership with the Overlook Medical Center (Atlantic Health System) in Summit, the Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ Barnabas Health) in Rahway. The Freeholder Board, County Manager and his staff worked with State Senators Joseph P. Cryan, Nicholas P. Scutari, Governor Phil Murphy’s office, Kean University, and the New Jersey State Department of Health in bringing the facility online.