Sources: RLS Media; Daily Voice Hudson
Dr. James Pruden, from Paterson, New Jersey is 70 years old and currently in isolation after contracting the virus. His extremely adverse reaction to COVID-19 is not surprising because of his age and history of previous respiratory problems.
It remains unclear whether Dr. Pruden contracted the virus while treating patients, or if he was exposed in his personal life. He agreed to be named and pictured in the press in the hope that it will encourage others who came into contact with him to take the necessary precautions.
“The point we want to make is we are all at risk of this,” St. Joseph’s Health President Kevin Slavin explained last week.
A Woodbridge nursing home is facing closure as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Residents at St. Joseph’s Senior Home are being reassigned to another assisted living facility after several workers are home with influenza-like symptoms and several residents tested positive for coronavirus, state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said.
Officials have been monitoring the facility since Friday, and working with Catholic sisters who run it for an orderly transition.
The center “has cared for the our most vulnerable population in Woodbridge and surrounding areas for decades,” Persichilli said.
“This is the result of some of their employees (having to stay) home with influenza-like illness, and a number of residents who tested positive for COVID-19,” Persichilli said at a news briefing.
At least 10 of the township’s first 27 positive COVID-19 cases originated at St. Joseph’s, Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac said. He previously reported that one of the elderly patients from the nursing home died from coronavirus at the hospital on Saturday.
The other 17 cases, McCormac said in his daily report, “are spread across the township with no noticeable clusters in any particular area or among any particular age group.”
Official notices from the township about dealing with COVID-19, as well as a list of Woodbridge pharmacies, food stores and restaurants that remain open, can be found by clicking here.