Mercer County Sees Uptick In COVID Cases, Reports 5 Deaths

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Mercer County, like much of New Jersey, is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases and even recorded a high number of deaths this week when compared to the past few weeks.

On Friday, the County reported 156 COVID cases and five deaths, as hospitalization and transmission rate across the state increase steadily in what’s being seen as a post-Thanksgiving spike.

On Nov. 26, Mercer County reported 70 new coronavirus cases and one related death. But this was immediately after Thanksgiving. As the data kept coming in the next few weeks, a complete picture of the post-Thanksgiving spike began to emerge.

"It is quite obvious we are seeing a post-Thanksgiving spike," said Gov. Phil Murphy at Wednesday's news conference about recent COVID cases since the holiday. "There is no other way to look at these numbers."

There’s no way of knowing how many of 156 new cases are due to the omicron variant. But officials have so far identified only one case in the state.

New Jersey identified its first COVID-19 omicron variant (B.1.1.529) case on Friday, Dec. 3. The woman who is a fully vaccinated Georgia resident, had recently traveled to South Africa. But Gov. Phil Murphy said there are likely more omicron cases throughout the state. Read More Here: 1st Omicron COVID Variant Case Confirmed In New Jersey

Most New Jersey counties still have a "high" level of transmission — according to the CDC. Murphy also noted that New Jersey hospitals are seeing a surge in new COVID-19 case admissions.

The third booster shot of the vaccine could be crucial in providing protection against the omicron variant. Pfizer recently announced that three doses of that vaccine "neutralize" the variant, the most recent studies show.

Mercer County residents who haven't been vaccinated yet and who are eligible for a booster shot can now get inoculated at a clinic nearby.

Here are upcoming vaccination clinics:

CURE Insurance Arena, Gate A South Broad Street entrance

• Monday, Dec. 13, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Tuesday, Dec. 14, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Thursday, Dec. 16, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Monday, Dec. 20, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Tuesday, Dec. 21, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pediatric-focused clinic, limited walk-ins
• Monday, Dec. 27, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Tuesday, Dec. 28, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Thursday, Dec. 30, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pediatric-focused clinic, limited walk-ins

930 Spruce St., Lawrence, heated tent next to Trenton Farmers Market

• Friday, Dec. 17, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Wednesday, Dec. 29, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome

Pop-up Clinics

• Thursday, Dec. 16, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Mercer County Park Skating Center (trailer), Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Monday, Dec. 20, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Ewing Senior Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome
• Thursday, Jan. 6, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Mercer County Park Skating Center (trailer), Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome

Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines, including booster shots, are available at all of the above clinics.

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