The video of Monday’s Township meeting featuring a presentation by Stephanie Carey, who currently directs public health services for all three Hopewell Valley municipalities, is available for viewing here.
MercerMe also was able to ask a few more questions of Carey through email via Committee member and Board of Health Chair Julie Blake.
In answer to a question about the capacity of Capital Health to handle incoming patients, Carey said that the hospital is busy but not so full that cases are being diverted elsewhere. She said the hospital has sufficient personal protective equipment as of now.
In answer to a question about antibody tests to test whether a person has experienced COVID-19 and are theoretically immune, she said that there are 90 tests on the market but only a few that have been approved by the FDA and there is no ability yet by the health community to interpret antibody test results.
Carey also indicated to MercerMe that the criteria for reopening the State will be: two weeks of declining numbers, empty beds in hospitals, and a reliable methodology to determine who is infectious and should be in quarantine (this is called contact tracing and testing).
