Day: March 26, 2020

United States # 1 In World With 82,404 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

March 26, 2020

Just about 3 hours ago we told you the USA was on track to pass Italy in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the number is higher than thought we are now # 1 with confirmed cases of coronavirus. See current confirmed cases from Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Tracker As of the 5:37 pm. there were reported 82, 404 cases in the USA and we have now passed both China and Italy.

See earlier report here:

New Jersey’s latest report:

Rep. Chris Smith Secures 41 Million Medical Gloves Locked in Govt Warehouses; Now Bound for Healthcare Workers Across the U.S.

PPEs To Help Protect America’s Healthcare Workers on the Frontlines

March 26, 2020

Within 24 hours of being contacted, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) persuaded the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to release a massive shipment of 41.3 million medical-grade gloves for distribution in the United States for medical professionals including nurses and doctors and to first responders. The gloves had been held by CBP since late September of last year.

   “At this critical juncture, when supplies of personal protective equipment—PPE—are scarce and medical professionals need to be safeguarded from the coronavirus, we needed to act quickly and work with federal officials to get 41.3 million medical examination gloves released by CBP and into the communities across the country where they are desperately needed,” said Smith.

Amidst the national emergency to combat the COVID-19, CBP had been holding the gloves for many months, and it took dozens of calls to numerous different federal officials. But it was just too important to give up on,” Smith added.  “I am very thankful that Englishtown Councilman Greg Wojyn connected me with this company, Ansell, which brought this matter to my attention.”

   Ansell, a leading PPE provider with a corporate hub in NJ, asked Congressman Smith for help in moving the massive shipment of gloves that were being held up by CBP.  Smith explained that in total, 32.5 million gloves are being held at the port in Baltimore, MD, and 8.8 million more gloves are in Oakland, Calif. After getting word of the release Tuesday night, the medical gloves were expected to start to be shipped immediately.

   Renae Leary, Ansell’s Chief Commercial Officer Americas, was grateful CBP released the gloves at a time when they are badly needed.

   “Ansell is thankful for the efforts of Congressman Chris Smith and others to expedite the release of 40 million medical gloves into the United States,” Leary said. “During this pandemic, the lack of personal protective equipment for front-line medical workers is putting their lives and the lives of patients at risk. As a world leader in providing superior health and safety solutions, Ansell is pleased that the US Customs and Border Protection agency has made the decision to release this supply to healthcare facilities across the United States where it is needed most.”

   “In light of that fact that New Jersey has the second highest number of cases of any state in the country, Ansell has assured me that many of these will be put to use here in New Jersey,” Smith said.

   “In light of that fact that New Jersey has the second highest number of cases of any state in the country, Ansell has assured me that many of these will be put to use here in New Jersey,” Smith said.

   For questions about coronavirus in New Jersey, residents are encouraged to dial 2-1-1, or text NJCOVID to 898-211. To reach Rep. Smith’s NJ District offices dial 732-780-3035 for Freehold; and 609-585-7878 for Hamilton.

Millions of gloves sit in a warehouse in Baltimore(Ansell Photo)

USA Closing In On Italy With 79,785 Cases Set To Go Over 80k Today, NJ 6,876 Cases

March 26, 2020

As of 3:21 pm the United States of America was set to pass Italy in the number of COVID-19 cases. According to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Tracker. Currently in the USA it is just shy of 80k at 79,785 and will continue to climb as more are confirmed today. Italy is at 80,589 and is currently #2 in the World with number of cases. Unfortunately as test results come in the USA will move up to the # 2 rank later today.

Please practice safe distancing as recommended by the CDC and almost every government agency and health care professional out there. We need to “flatten the curve” so as people catch the virus our health care system will not be so overloaded people will not be able to get treatment. Take this seriously, you may luck out and not get the virus, or have light symptoms but your loved ones could end up with serious health issues or even death. Don’t chance it keep the 6 feet distance and do not go out unless you have to.

We have 2,492 new positive #COVID19 cases, bringing our total to 6,876.
• Atlantic: 10
• Bergen: 1,206
• Burlington: 64
• Camden: 73
• Cumberland: 4
• Cape May: 6
• Essex: 609
• Gloucester: 33
• Hudson: 441
• Hunterdon: 39
• Mercer: 111
• Middlesex: 505
• Monmouth: 501
• Morris: 315
• Ocean: 389
• Passaic: 399
• Salem: 2
• Somerset: 179
• Sussex: 49
• Union: 432
• Warren: 31
• Under Investigation: 1,478

As of 1:30 PM, COVID-19 statewide stats:
• Positive Tests: 6,876
• Deaths: 81

For updates: covid19.nj.gov



Ocean County 3/16/2020 Update:

Covid-19 Total Cases (468) In Ocean County:

Total as of Thursday 3/26/2020 at 2:00pm

Town NameNumber of Cases
Barnegat12
Barnegat Light1
Bay Head1
Beach Haven0
Beachwood3
Berkeley28
Brick33
Eagleswood0
Harvey Cedars0
Island Heights1
Jackson52
Lacey12
Lakehurst0
Lakewood198
Lavallette1
Little Egg Harbor4
Long Beach Township2
Manchester20
Mantoloking0
Ocean Gate1
Ocean Twp. (Waretown)2
Pine Beach0
Plumsted3
Point Pleasant Beach2
Point Pleasant Borough18
Seaside Heights0
Seaside Park1
Ship Bottom2
South Toms River3
Surf City1
Stafford7
Toms River60
Tuckerton0
Total Positive Cases: 468

Monmouth County Man Charged with Producing and Distributing Child Pornography

March 26, 2020

NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man is scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge today for allegedly producing and distributing images of himself sexually assaulting a child, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Christian Importuna, 24, of Englishtown, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He will make his initial appearance today by telephone conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor. Importuna was arrested at his home this morning by special agents of the FBI.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Importuna produced at least two videos that showed him sexually assaulting a child. The videos came to the attention of law enforcement officials on March 24, 2020, when Importuna attempted to trade images of child pornography with an undercover law enforcement officer on an internet-based application. Law enforcement initially linked the videos to Importuna through business records indicating that they were sent from his Englishtown residence. The investigation further linked Importuna to the production of the images through physical identifiers that were visible in the subject videos.

The charge of production of child pornography, carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distribution of child pornography, carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited FBI Newark’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to these charges. He also thanked the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Lab, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Englishtown Police Department, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Read full complaint at this link

NJEDA Announces New Initiatives to Support Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

March 26, 2020

TRENTON – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved a suite of new programs designed to support businesses and workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.  The package of initiatives includes a grant program for small businesses, a zero-interest loan program for mid-size companies, support for private-sector lenders and Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), funding for entrepreneurs, and a variety of resources providing technical support and marketplace information. Taken together, they will provide more than $75 million of State and private financial support, with the opportunity to grow to more than $100 million if additional philanthropic, State, and federal resources become available. The initiatives will support between 3,000 and 5,000 small and midsize enterprises and are meant to complement recently announced federal economic recovery initiatives. More information about the programs will be available here: https://cv.business.nj.gov. “The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in New Jersey has sent us into uncharted territory, and the economic impacts will be significant and far-reaching, especially on Main Street. The scope and scale of this new challenge requires immediate action to support New Jersey workers and businesses,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The new NJEDA programs announced today are a critical step that will mitigate the economic impacts of this unprecedented challenge and help workers and businesses to weather the storm and come out stronger when things return to normal.” Development of the grant program, support for CDFIs, and flexibility for current NJEDA borrowers was enabled by the legislature through A3845. Primary sponsors of the legislation include Assemblymembers Roy Freiman, Louis D. Greenwald, Ronald S. Dancer, and Senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez, and Brian Stack. The new NJEDA initiatives focus on businesses that have been hit hardest by the novel coronavirus outbreak: local small businesses, mid-size businesses that have had to close or drastically reconfigure operations, and new businesses who were just getting on their feet before the crisis hit. The programs provide a suite of compatible offerings that address these businesses’ varied needs and include mechanisms to provide funding and assistance as quickly as possible.  Many of the resources are designed to be scalable with the addition of federal and philanthropic resources if they become available. Philanthropic partners interested in donating to support the NJEDA’s small business grant program should reach out to donations@njeda.com. “Small- and medium-sized enterprises are the heartbeat of New Jersey’s economy and it is crucial that we do what we can to provide the resources and assistance they need to withstand the outbreak of novel coronavirus,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “In coordination with our partners throughout State government, we are undertaking an unprecedented effort to support these businesses and the New Jersey residents who rely on them for their livelihoods. These are challenging times, but New Jerseyans are resilient, and together we will get through this and rebuild our economy.”  The suite of new initiatives includes: 

  • Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – A $5 million program that will provide grants up to $5,000 to small businesses in retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, and other services – such as repair, maintenance, personal, and laundry services – to stabilize their operations and reduce the need for layoffs or furloughs.
  • Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program – A $10 million program that will provide working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million in revenues. Loans made through the program will have ten-year terms with zero percent for the first five years, then resetting to the EDA’s prevailing floor rate (capped at 3.00%) for the remaining five years.
  • Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) Emergency Loan Loss Reserve Fund – A $10 million capital reserve fund to take a first loss position on CDFI loans that provide low interest working capital to micro businesses. This will allow CDFIs to withstand loan defaults due to the outbreak, which will allow them to provide more loans at lower interest rates to microbusinesses affected by the outbreak.
  • CDFI Emergency Assistance Grant Program – A $1.25 million program that will provide grants of up to $250,000 to CDFIs to scale operations or reduce interest rates for the duration of the outbreak.
  • NJ Entrepreneur Support Program – A $5 million program that will encourage continued capital flows to new companies, often in the innovation economy, and temporarily support a shaky market by providing 80 percent loan guarantees for working capital loans to entrepreneurs.   
  • Small Business Emergency Assistance Guarantee Program – A $10 million program that will provide 50 percent guarantees on working capital loans and waive fees on loans made through institutions participating in the NJEDA’s existing Premier Lender or Premier CDFI programs.
  • Emergency Technical Assistance Program – A $150,000 program that will support technical assistance to New Jersey-based companies applying for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The organizations contracted will be paid based on SBA application submissions supported by the technical assistance they provide.

Additional details on the NJEDA’s new programs, including eligibility requirements will be available here: https://cv.business.nj.gov. Comprehensive information about New Jersey’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak is available here: https://covid19.nj.gov/.

Gov. Murphy Announced President Donald J. Trump Has Issued Major Disaster Declaration for NJ

March 26, 2020

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced that President Donald J. Trump has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of New Jersey. The declaration will provide federal assistance to supplement statewide recovery efforts affected by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020.“With our major disaster declaration approved, New Jersey will now have access to greater essential federal support to help our residents through this emergency,” said Governor Murphy. “This declaration will allow us to lift remaining bureaucratic barriers to assistance and enhance our statewide response to COVID-19. I am grateful to the Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their collaboration and coordination in supporting our response and recovery efforts to COVID-19 in New Jersey.”In his request dated March 23, 2020, Governor Murphy requested two types of statewide assistance, including individual assistance, which provides assistance to individuals and households, and public assistance, which includes assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.To view Governor Murphy’s request for a major disaster declaration, click here.

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