This week in Trenton on the COVID-19 front: Governor Phil Murphy issued an Executive Order increasing capacities for religious services, as well as sporting and entertainment events and announced New Jersey should anticipate approximately 70,000 of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine upon FDA approval. The Economic Development announced grants through its Sustain & Serve NJ Program resulting in 1.5 million meals from at least 160 New Jersey restaurants in 69 municipalities.
For February 26, 2021:
- 3,149 new positive cases for a total of 696,000 confirmed cases
- 46 new confirmed deaths for a total of 20,861 confirmed deaths
- The rate of transmission is at 0.89
- 737 cases linked to 152 school outbreaks since August
- 1,899,671 vaccine doses have been administered, including 1,262,124 first doses and 636,947 second doses. 54% have been Moderna and 46% Pfizer.
Vaccine Information
Today, the Governor announced that New Jersey has been notified that we should anticipate an initial shipment of roughly 70,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses to be delivered next week, based upon the US FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization.
The State hotline, 855-568-0545, continues to assist residents, with live agents from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., in getting information on how to register, as well as how to schedule vaccine appointments as people become eligible. The agents remind residents that there is no out-of-pocket expense to get vaccinated and that the two vaccines are not interchangeable.
The state continues to encourage the general public to pre-register for eligibility for the vaccine online. Individuals will be permitted to input their personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. Those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions will be able to schedule an appointment.
Executive Orders
Executive Order 225: Increasing capacity limits for religious services to 50% of room capacity with no cap, effective immediately. Large sports and entertainment venues with fixed seating capacity of 5,000 or more will be permitted to have 10% of capacity for indoors and 15% of capacity for outdoors effective 6:00 a.m. on March 1. Collegiate sporting events, effective immediately, may allow up to two parents or guardians per participating athlete at practices and competitions; however, indoor space cannot exceed 35% capacity.
Unemployment Information
The Department of Labor announced for the week ending February 19 the initial weekly unemployment claims total is 10,776, a 7% decline week over week.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.