WOODBRIDGE, NJ – All 79 patients of the St. Joseph’s Senior Home, in Woodbridge, were safely moved to CareOne in Whippany, Morris County on Wednesday, March 25, thanks to the collaboration of Middlesex County, Woodbridge Township, and the State of New Jersey.

The New Jersey Department of Health requested the transfer on Tuesday evening following an outbreak of COVID-19 at St. Joseph’s, where residents of the facility tested positive for the virus. On Tuesday night, Middlesex County’s EOC (Emergency Operations Center) began working with Woodbridge Township, State of New Jersey, and CareOne officials to coordinate the move, which began at 10 am on Wednesday.

Over 65 personnel aided the effort, including members of the Middlesex County’s Office of Emergency Management and Preparedness; Hazardous Material Unit; and Health Department Special Operation Unit; Woodbridge Township’s Office of Emergency Management; Health Department; police and fire departments; Senior Transportation; and Community Emergency Response Team; as well as the New Jersey State Police. The New Jersey EMS Task Force provided medical ambulance buses from Monmouth, Hudson, and Union Counties, as well as the Strike Team.

“Yesterday’s relocation is a prime example of the power our community has when working together effectively for the common objective of protecting those members of our community that are most impacted by and vulnerable to this disease. I am proud of those personnel from the County, State, and CareOne that recognized the need and rose to the occasion. We thank them all for their efforts,” said Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios.

“I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in yesterday’s monumental undertaking to move 79 patients from St. Joes to a CareOne facility in Whippany. It was an amazing display of volunteerism and talent from people from the state, the county, the township, neighboring towns, and the private sector,” said Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac. “The St. Joseph’s patients, who in many cases are in wheelchairs or using canes or walkers or connected to medical devices, suddenly had their lives turned upside down. This was a very, very frightening experience for these people and it was done without a hitch thanks to a whole lot of dedicated professionals and a whole lot of dedicated volunteers. These folks are Woodbridge residents who have lived here many, many years and have been part of the fabric of Woodbridge – we wish them well.”