Mendham Mayor Addresses NJs First COVID Omicron Variant Case

MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham Township’s Mayor Sarah Neibart provided information about the Omicron COVID variant and vaccinations, in an update over the past weekend.

Among topics, her communication on the variant addressed the first case connected to New Jersey, through a traveler who came to the state, after reportedly picking up the Omicron variant in South Africa.

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“Although there is still very much unknown about this new variant,” Neibart wrote, “the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it a 'variant of concern.'”

She said that studies are underway and PCR tests can identify Omicron because of its “unique signature.”

Neibart said that WHO advises “accelerating COVID-19 vaccination coverage as rapidly as possible, especially among populations designated as ‘high priority,’ who remain unvaccinated or are not fully vaccinated.”

She said New Jersey has already been documenting over 1,000 new and confirmed COVID cases daily “largely fueled by the Delta variant.”

Neibart also presented details about a recent study in Science Magazine that showed a drop in vaccine efficacy among veterans studied, ranging from 35 to 85 percent.

She additionally communicated information from New Jersey’s Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, who said recently that “booster uptake will be vital in blunting the impact of this and any other new variant that may occur,” especially people with “waning immunity” and against the Delta variant.

Neibart provided New Jersey's child COVID vaccination statistics so far, stating 12 percent of 5 to 11 year olds have been vaccinated and 27 percent between ages 5 and 17. She said that 38 percent of the 5 through 17 age group have taken at least one dose.

She offered a list of vaccine locations at www.covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder and the phone number to the NJ Vaccination Call Center for appointment scheduling questions at 855-568-0545.

To read Neibart's full announcement on Mendham Township's website click here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.