74 New COVID Cases, 1 Death Reported In South Brunswick

BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management reported that 74 residents tested positive, and one person died from COVID-19 the past week.

This new number represents a 45 percent increase from previous weeks — the week of March 21-27 a total of 51 people tested positive for coronavirus.

Following the trend established over the previous five weeks, officials said the township’s COVID-19 positive cases have risen for a sixth week.

Much of the increase is being reported among younger people and transmission appears to be happening faster, said officials. This can be attributed to the presence of the different coronavirus variants, officials said.

Of the new cases, 29 were women, 45 men and nine people under the age of 18.

Additionally, 31 cases were reported from previous weeks.

Statewide, 2,329 people are hospitalized due to COVID, a 7.5 percent increase from the previous week, officials said.

Middlesex County saw its numbers increase to 78,718 total cases.

The Office of Emergency Management said it continues to monitor the ongoing pandemic conditions in the township. Officials said they are hopeful for conditions to improve over the coming weeks.

Currently around 41 percent of South Brunswick residents are vaccinated, making the township one of the top communities for vaccination in the county.

Township residents are advised to continue with their CDC recommended precautionary measures like wearing a mask, avoiding crowded areas, social distancing and getting vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the state has expanded vaccine eligibility yet again.

Here's who Joined the list on Monday

Employees in the following professions can now get inoculated:

• Individuals 55 and over
• Individuals ages 16 and up with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Educators, including support staff, in higher education settings
• Communications infrastructure support, including engineers, and technicians and members of the press
• Real estate, building, and home service workers, including construction workers, code officials, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, property management and maintenance workers
• Retail financial institution workers, including bank tellers, lending services, public accounting and check-cashing workers
• Sanitation workers providing disinfection and janitorial services, city sanitation workers; residential, commercial, and industrial solid and hazardous waste removal workers
• Laundry service workers, including those working in laundromats, laundry services and dry cleaners
• Utility workers including electrical generation and supply system, natural gas delivery, nuclear power plant, water supply, telephone and cable/fiber/optical/broadband/cellular service workers
• Librarians and support staff at municipal, county and state libraries

Who's already eligible?

• Paid and unpaid healthcare workers
• Residents and workers of long-term care and high-risk congregate care facilities
• First responders including sworn law enforcement and fire professionals
• Individuals aged over 65
• Individuals aged 16-64 that have certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus
• Pre-K to 12 educators and staff
• Childcare workers in licensed and registered settings
• Transportation workers
• Additional high-risk individuals
• Additional public safety workers
• Food production, agriculture and food distribution (including grocery store and restaurant workers)
• Eldercare and support
• Warehousing and logistics
• Social services support staff
• Elections personnel
• Hospitality
• Medical supply chain
• Postal and shipping services
• Clergy
• Judicial system

Where and How to Find Vaccine Appointments

Patch has gathered tips that may help for securing vaccine appointments and websites with additional information:

• Local resident Suzanne O'Rourke and her group of volunteers called ‘Viking Vaccinators’ are helping locals find appointments. You can read more about them here. If you are a senior and eligible, contact them here to help you find an appointment.
• Join the New Jersey Covid Vaccine Info Facebook group. The 61,000-member group gives New Jerseyans the opportunity to share up-to-date information on vaccine availability.
• Follow VaxxUpdates on Twitter. The page helps Garden State residents secure vaccine appointments with instant updates on availability.
• CVS and Rite Aid began scheduling COVID-19 appointments at locations that will receive vaccines. But appointments fill up quickly. CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart have expanded their number of sites. Read more: CVS Adding 30 COVID-19 Vaccine Sites In New Jersey
• CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold periodically opens registration. They will email a link when you're eligible for an appointment.
• Check out the COVID-19 Vaccine Registration FAQ from RWJBarnabas Health. You can sign up at their website to be alerted when the vaccine becomes available in your area.
• ShopRite sometimes has a wait time to access its vaccine scheduler, but it allows the public to make appointments.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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