COUNTY STILL RECEIVING HOME ENERGY APPLICATIONS
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes advises residents that the Mercer County Office of Housing and Community Development, located in the County Administration Building at 640 South Broad St. in Trenton, remains closed due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis. This includes the Low Income Heating Assistance and USF programs.
However, the County will continue to receive applications during this time by regular mail, fax or email. This includes new applications, re-certifications, cooling and emergency oil requests. Emergency utility assistance (gas/electric) can also be requested by calling 211.
If you are seeking assistance for a pending electric or gas shutoff notice, termination of service by all utility companies will be suspended during the period of COVID-19. Therefore, no utility customer in New Jersey is in jeopardy of termination of service. PSE&G and JCP&L have suspended all shutoffs in Mercer County during this crisis.
Applications, forms and information can be accessed on the Housing and Community Development programs page on the Mercer County website.
Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax or email to:
County of Mercer County
Attention: LIHEAP/USF Programs
640 S. Broad St., Room 106
P.O. Box 8068
Trenton, NJ 08650-0068
Fax: 609-278-2758
Email address: housing@mercercounty.org
Please continue checking www.mercercounty.org for additional updates and changes. Any questions or concerns can be sent via email to housing@mercercounty.org.
Personal protective equipment donations sought
| The nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment needed in the battle against COVID-19 is impacting first responders and health care professionals in Mercer County, and the County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking for your help.
If you, your organization or someone you know can donate of any of the items listed below to aid Mercer County’s first responders and health care professionals, please complete the form at one of the links provided.
• N95 Masks
• Eye Protectors (Face Shield; Goggles; Other Eye Protectors)
• Sterile Gowns
• Medically Rated Gloves
• Regular Masks
• Surgical Masks
• Procedural Masks
• Alternative respirators that OSHA has given permission to use in health care during this historic pandemic
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Other Disinfecting Products
Please fill out the electronic PPE -Equipment Donation Form or download the PPE-Equipment Donation Form and email it to the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management at oem@mercercounty.org or fax it to (609) 799-7067. You can also reach out to OEM at (609) 281-7228. |
| WASH YOUR HANDS. STAY AT HOME.
To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect the capacity of New Jersey’s health care system for the state’s most vulnerable, all residents are under a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy. Executive Order No. 107 provides for certain exceptions, such as obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work, or engaging in outdoor activities. It also directs the closure of all non-essential retail businesses to the public. Find more information at COVID19.nj.gov. |
HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19?
The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit covid19.nj.gov or nj.gov/health for additional information
| PREVENTION
To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
- Practice social distancing
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, after exiting a densely populated area, and after coughing and sneezing
- Disinfect personal items regularly
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| SYMPTOMS
Symptoms – fever, cough, shortness of breath – can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. It’s also important to consider whether you’ve been in contact with an infected person, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing.
If you believe you’ve been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. |
JOBS AND HIRING
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 at jobs.covid19.nj.gov.
COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey’s Mental Health Hotline at 877-294-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
| CURRENT STATUS
The New Jersey Department of Health on April 6 announced 3,363 new positive cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 41,090 with 1,003 deaths. The most positive cases are in Bergen County, which has 6,862; Mercer County has 740, with 19 deaths. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard for more information.
The CDC on April 6 announced a total of 330,891 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 8,910 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. For more information about COVID-19 visit covid19.nj.gov or cdc.gov. |
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