Westfield Mayor Urges Patience As Residents Await Vaccinations

WESTFIELD, NJ — There were 126 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Westfield last week, Mayor Shelley Brindle announced Friday.

"Exposure information from disease investigation and contact tracing interviews is not as readily available as it has been in previous weeks, as our Regional Health Department's resources have been focused predominantly on vaccination inquiries and ongoing efforts to expand vaccine distribution," Brindle said in her Friday weekly update.

Between Jan. 15 and Jan. 21, the newly reported cases were in patients ranging in age from 11 months to 94 years old.

• Age 9 and under: 7 cases
• Age 10-19: 29 cases
• Age 20-29: 12 cases
• Age 30-39: 8 cases
• Age 40-49: 24 cases
• Age 50-59: 24 cases
• Age 60-69: 9 cases
• Age 70-79: 5 cases
• Age 80-89: 4 cases
• Age 90 and above: 3
• Age unconfirmed: 1 case

Brindle said the state's seven-day average for new cases is down 24 percent from a week ago and down 6 percent from a month ago. Statewide hospitalizations as of Thursday night were at the lowest level since Dec. 5, she said.

Regional Health Officer Megan Avallone said Westfield is showing a high level of activity. The most highly impacted group, patients between ages 10 and 19, represent 23 percent of newly reported cases.

What about vaccinations in Union County?

On Friday, more than 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered across the state. So far, 1.9 million people statewide have registered to get their vaccines, Brindle said.

As of Friday, all six vaccine mega-sites are operational, in addition to 130 county-run and community-based sites, Brindle said.

Current vaccine eligibility remains the same:

• Healthcare personnel, long-term care residents and staff
• Uniformed law enforcement and fire service personnel
• Individuals ages 65+
• Individuals 16-64 with medical conditions that render them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19

"The vaccine supply shortage is incredibly frustrating for everyone looking to be vaccinated after a very long year of taking the appropriate public health precautions, and I share the concern for those in our vulnerable population that have difficulty securing an appointment," Brindle said. "However, I remain hopeful that this massive undertaking will continue to improve in the coming weeks at the federal level if we can all please stay patient."

Currently, the state allows anyone to pre-register at covid19.nj.gov/vaccine, and their system will notify you when you are eligible to receive a vaccine.

Brindle also thanked everyone who joined last week's virtual remembrance ceremony to honor those who have died from COVID-19.

"The personalized details we received from the family members of those who died were painful reminders of the tolls this virus has taken on communities around the world," she said. "I am grateful to everyone who participated to make sure we all continue to hold these families in our hearts."

OTHER VIRUS TRENDS

• Use this link to see the updated fatality count in the United States.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally.
• Others are simultaneously fighting misinformation and hoaxes as they try to fight the virus.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

• Recently, there were 159 long term care facilities with active outbreaks, the state Department of Health said last month. The state announced that deaths at the facilities had more than doubled since May 1.
• New Jersey residents became alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities.
• The state released death toll statistics in spring for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.
• Facilities began receiving the coronavirus vaccine in December and January, starting with a long-term care home in Old Bridge in December. Read about one Summit nursing home vaccinating residents and staff here.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.