Monday, October 26, 2020

Galloway Library Branch Closed After Covid-19 Exposure

The Galloway Township branch of the Atlantic County Library System will be closed until further notice following the identification of someone who had been in the facility and tested positive for Covid-19.

The Atlantic County Division of Public Health began conducting contact tracing on Friday, October 23 upon notification of the positive test result. The library branch was closed on Friday and employees of the branch were instructed, as per federal and state health protocols, to remain at home to self-quarantine and monitor their health for symptoms.

Anyone who is identified through contact tracing as having had “close contact” with the individual is being asked to self-quarantine and monitor their health for symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, muscle aches, new loss of taste or smell and to get tested and/or seek medical care as needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently updated its definition of “close contact” to anyone who has been within 6-feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period. Unless you are contacted by public health officials, you are not considered a close contact. 
 
In an abundance of caution, additional deep cleaning and thorough sanitization of the library facility is being conducted while it remains closed. 

Patrons may visit any of the library’s other eight branches during this time. Locations and hours are available at www.atlanticlibrary.org.

County and health officials remind the public to remain vigilant as the number of cases in the county, state and country has seen a recent uptick. New Jersey’s total of 1,994 new cases on Saturday, October 24 was the highest single-day count reported since May 6.

“We are all concerned about the resilience of this virus and the devastating toll this pandemic has taken. Until we have a vaccine and can mitigate the spread of Covid-19, it is vitally important to continue to protect ourselves and others by wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowds, and practicing frequent handwashing and other hygiene protocols,” stated County Executive Dennis Levinson.

Atlantic County will continue to provide free Covid-19 drive-thru testing each Tuesday, 9-11:30 AM, through November 24 with the exception of Election Day, November 3. Testing will instead be held on Wednesday, November 4 that week. Testing is conducted at 617 Dolphin Avenue in Northfield, behind the county’s Public Works yard, Appointments are required and can be made at: www.aclink.org.

 

 

County News