BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – A now removed memo published on the Ocean Medical Center of Brick Township’s website says over 100 team members are out of work after several employees contracted COVID-19.
“A story we have seen over and over again since the beginning of the pandemic has played out within our hospital system. More than 100 of our team members are out of work at one hospital after several of our colleagues socialized outside of work and then unknowingly exposed both other colleagues, and patients to COVID-19,” the memo read. “We are all human, and working within our hospital – and following our strict guidelines day in and out to great success – can lull us into a false sense of security when we are beyond these walls. What we know better than anyone, is that it only takes one gathering.”
The memo advised workers to stay vigilant and not to relax their guard.
“One lapse of judgment. One event where we are lax in complying with best prevention practices. This scourge of a disease can take one bend of the guidelines – guidelines we know work to protect us – and inflict tremendous impact. We are feeling that now,” the hospital said in the memory. “In fact, close to 800 of us across the network are feeling it, but so are their families and loved ones. The weekend is upon us, so we ask everyone to do your very best to apply proactive and preemptive best practices. Ensure those you are in contact with do the same. Keep yourself safe by masking appropriately, frequent hand hygiene, physical distancing and avoiding congregating, while staying at home as much as possible. We all are accountable to each other, and slowing the rapidly rising curve of COVID will permit us to be together again sooner. We can relax when this disease does, and we are not there yet. Stay vigilant and please stay safe. Thanks for all you do.”
According to the memo, as of November 20th, there were 69 positive inpatient positive cases at the hospital in Brick. Hackensack University Medical Center, another hospital in the Hackensack network had 116 COVID-19 inpatients. 497 people are hospitalized across the hospital’s network.