Wayne Closes In On 200 Coronavirus Deaths: Mayor

WAYNE, NJ — Mayor Christopher Vergano reported that the township's 199th resident has died from the coronavirus as cases continue to climb in the month of January.

A 73-year-old woman died this month, Vergano said, with the town reaching a "very scary number" of deaths.

Vergano reported 851 positive coronavirus tests in the month of January as of Tuesday night.

"We're very close to that number in December," Vergano said, estimating that the January case totals would probably reach the December totals by the end of the month.

The number continues to sit higher than from previous months, when the township saw 154 positive tests in October and 549 in November. Vergano reported 1,106 in December, when he said numbers really started to climb.

Watch Vergano's full news conference here:

Vergano also gave an update on vaccine appointment scheduling and operations. Much like in prior weeks, he instructed residents to check the Wayne Township website on Friday afternoons for available appointments.

The mayor acknowledged that it's currently still difficult to get an appointment, but township officials have streamlined the registration process, he added.

"I know it's difficult, but sometime in the last four weeks over 1,100 people have been successful in registering and getting appointments," said Vergano.

Vaccine appointments in the township were booked within six minutes of being posted last week as thousands of people are vying for the same 300 slots, Vergano said.

"I know it's difficult, and I know it's not easy, but that's the only solution we have for giving out the 300 [doses] that we're receiving."

Vergano noted that township officials are still requesting 2,500 doses a week, but have yet to receive that much supply as a shortage continues across the state.

Passaic County has also opened a "mega-site," which isn't listed on the state's COVID-19 vaccination hub, but started operations Jan. 20.

The site is located at 1710 Route 46 West in Woodland Park at the former Modell's Sporting Goods store.

More information on the site and how to register for a vaccine is available at www.passaiccountynj.org/COVIDv....