Woodland Park Residents:

Since January 1st alone, we have had 91 new, positive cases of COVID-19 in our community. 11 of them are school-aged children.

In total, we have had 1,062 cases in town since March when the pandemic began. Most troubling, is that 575 of our total cases have been since Halloween.

In comparison, as of January 1, 2021, Totowa has had 905 cases and Little Falls had 558. I do not have updated 2021 numbers for our sister communities.

Fact is, Woodland Park cases are spiking and, in certain situations, it has been devastating. We’ve also lost a number of people to COVID-19 who lived in or were close to our community - currently 22 people, with others currently hospitalized.

We are strongly urging residents to take the following steps in the coming weeks:
• Limit going out. Stay home and limit your exposure to others to the absolute extent possible. Eliminate large gatherings of people, especially indoors.
• If you must go out, wear a mask at all times. Wear it above your nose and make sure your mouth and nose are completely covered.
• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently.
• Take your temperature twice a day. If elevated, stay home and eliminate contact with others, including those in your home.
• Get tested. The County has testing centers open three times per week.
• Seriously consider getting the vaccine when it becomes available to your priority group.

In light of where we are, Borough Hall and the Baumann Library will remain closed to the public, as will the Boys&Girls Club. Services remain available via phone, email and through curbside pick-up.

Both PVHS and the Woodland Park School District plan to re-open for in-person learning, on Monday, February 1st. These decisions, by the Superintendents of both districts, will likely hinge on the number of cases at that time.

For all the reasons above and, most importantly, for the health and safety of all of us - please be responsible. I know we are all tired. I know we are over all this. I know we want our lives back.

But just remember, those 22 people from our town who have died from this - who won’t ever get their lives back.

Keith Kazmark
Mayor