Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

March 10, 2021

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP

Covid-19 vaccine supply levels in New Jersey have been steadily increasing along with vaccination locations, however patience is asked of everyone still awaiting their opportunity to receive their vaccine. Federal officials have announced with great confidence that there will be enough vaccine delivered to the U.S. government by the end of May to vaccinate every eligible American. As an increasing number of Americans are fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced recent changes to their recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals, as follows:

• You can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
• You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine.

According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose series, in the case of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The CDC has stated that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.

The Township will continue to keep you informed of up to date information concerning the availability and accessibility to vaccines and updated vaccination locations.

The number of locations in New Jersey providing COVID-19 vaccines has nearly doubled to 600 over the past week with the deliveries of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 shots.

Below are direct links to the various vaccine providers currently accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations:

• CVS (CLICK HERE)
• Rite Aid (CLICK HERE)
• Wegmans (CLICK HERE)
• Shop Rite (CLICK HERE) Including the East Windsor Township store
• Walmart (CLICK HERE)
• Sam's Club (CLICK HERE)

The List of Statewide Vaccination Locations, which include State "Mega-Sites"and state-designated Mercer County sites, can be found at (CLICK HERE) The number of vaccines available may vary, so you may need to check back several times if you are seeking an appointment at a specific location.

Anyone seeking a COVID-19 vaccine is strongly encouraged to register with the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) (CLICK HERE). If you experience an error or need help registering with the NJVSS, you can complete an online form (CLICK HERE), or call toll-free (855) 568-0545. You will be notified when it is time for you to schedule an appointment. For State information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and phasing priority (CLICK HERE). Remember, the COVID-19 vaccine is FREE of charge.

MERCER COUNTY UPDATE

The Mercer County Department of Human Services, Office on Homeless Services, in partnership with the Mercer County Board of Social Services, has launched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - to provide financial assistance toward unpaid rent or utility bills for renter households in Mercer County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2021. For more information (CLICK HERE).

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATE

Governor Murphy announced, effective Friday, March 19, the following gathering limitations will be amended:

• Restaurants, recreational and amusement facilities, gyms and fitness clubs and barber shops, salons and other personal care businesses can increase indoor capacity from 35% to 50% of the capacity of their facilities (CLICK HERE).
• Indoor gatherings that are not religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services or performances will be capped at 25 individuals (CLICK HERE).
• Outdoor gatherings that are not religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services or performances will be capped at 50 individuals(CLICK HERE) .

Governor Murphy announced, beginning Monday, March 15, the following new categories will be eligible for vaccines (CLICK HERE):

• Teachers of pre-K students through 12th grade
• Child Care workers in licensed and registered settings
• Motor Vehicle Commission workers
• NJ Transit workers and other Transportation workers
• Public and Local Transportation, including Bus, Taxi, Rideshare and Airport employees
• All Public Safety personal who have not already been made eligible such as Probation Officers, Child Protective Service workers and Probation Officers
• Members of Tribal Communities
• Migrant Farmworkers
• People who are Homeless and people living in Homeless Shelters or Domestic Violence Shelters

Beginning Monday, March 29, eligibility will be expanded for additional frontline essential workers in the restaurant, food processing and distribution industries, grocery personnel, warehouse workers, remaining eldercare workers, hospitality workers, election workers, clergy, postal and other shipping workers, and judicial system employees.

Mercer County has reported, as of March 10, 2021, there have been 97 new cases for a total of 26,957 confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and a total, sadly, of 846 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. The State of New Jersey today reported 3,047 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 729,403 cases, and 56 additional deaths for a total of 21,294 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the New Jersey official COVID-19 dashboard (CLICK HERE).

For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:

• Call: 2-1-1
• Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
• Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
• Visit covid19.nj.gov for additional information

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.