Westfield COVID Case Totals, Vaccination Status Released For August

WESTFIELD, NJ — As coronavirus cases ramp up amid the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle released the numbers for confirmed cases of the virus among residents for last month, including how many cases were among vaccinated residents.

During the month of August, 136 cases were identified in total, Brindle said, more than double the 48 cases in July.

"I’m also saddened to report an additional death, 73 year-old unvaccinated resident," she said. "This resident passed in April, but was just reported to us last week."

Of the 136 August cases, Brindle said, "54 (39 percent) of these cases were in residents who were identified as being fully vaccinated. It should be noted that these breakthrough cases had mild or moderate symptoms."

Medical professionals say that while vaccinated people may still have "breakthrough cases" of the virus, the vaccine will probably prevent hospitalization and death.

In fact, Brindle said Friday, "Today, the CDC shared three new studies reporting that COVID-19 vaccines still significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death amid the surge in the Delta variant ... unvaccinated individuals are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 11 times more likely to die than those who are vaccinated against COVID."

More than 662,000 Americans have now died from COVID, up from 643,000 people on Sept. 3. You can see which states have the highest recent death rates here.

Cases By Age Group In Westfield

Brindle said Friday that, 47 cases were identified in Westfield from Sept. 3-9, putting September on track to have more cases than August, if the trend continues.

Age Range For The 136 August Cases

• Age 9 and under: 20 cases
• Age 10-19: 23 cases
• Age 20-29: 26 cases
• Age 30-39: 12 cases
• Age 40-49: 22 cases
• Age 50-59: 14 cases
• Age 60-69: 11 cases
• Age 70-79: 5 cases
• Age 80-89: 3 cases
• Age 90 and above: No cases

Westfield Vaccination Rates And Results

In Westfield, 97 percent of those 65 and older, 96 percent of those 30 and older, 98 percent of the adult population (18+), and 78 percent of the entire population has been vaccinated with at least one dose, she said. As for two doses, the percentages are: 92 percent of those 65 and older, 91 percent of those 30 and older, 92 percent of adults (18+), and 73 percent of the entire population.

Children under 12 cannot get vaccinated yet.

The New Jersey Department of Health reports that 65 percent of Westfield 12-17 year-olds have received at least one dose of vaccine, Brindle said.

Any resident interested in receiving the vaccine can call 908-789-4070.

NJ Hospitalizations Each Week

On Friday, Sept. 10, 1,167 people in New Jersey were battling COVID in hospitals. Of those, 128 are on ventilators. Here are prior weeks' numbers:

• Friday, Sept. 3, 1,054 people in New Jersey were being treated in hospitals for COVID, 109 on ventilators.
• Friday, Aug. 27, 1,022 people were hospitalized with COVID, 98 on ventilators.
• Friday, Aug. 20: 923 hospitalized, 73 on ventilators.

Where To Get Vaccinated

Find out more about COVID booster shots here: Third COVID Shots Offered In Union County As Delta Spreads

Union County residents can contact the Westfield Regional Health Department by calling 908-789-4070, the County of Union at ucnj.org, or Atlantic Health System at atlantichealth.org.

Union County has two vaccination sites: at the Thomas Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth and Downs Hall at Kean University in Union. To learn more about the sites click here. You can also inquire at pharmacies and medical offices.

Read More About COVID And NJ:

• The Latest Data, Details On Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases In NJ
• COVID Hospitalizations Spike In NJ As Delta Variant Spreads
• Mayor: Westfield Had One Coronavirus Death In July
• NJ Mom Urges: Please Listen to COVID 'Long-Haulers'
• 4 Things To Know About The Delta Variant Of Coronavirus In NJ
• New Jersey Town Says: Get Vaccinated Or No Spaghetti For You
• Rise In Child COVID Hospitalizations Prompts Vaccination Plea
• NJ Hospital Preps For COVID Surge As Kids Set To Return To School

More Information

• 98 percent to 99 percent of recent COVID deaths were unvaccinated people, according to one study earlier this summer.
• Here is information on vaccine side effects, including the most rare but severe effects.
• COVID survivors may suffer from long-term symptoms.

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