As of Sept. 8, 2022, from our local health authority, the Westfield Regional Health Department:
This week Union County is showing low covid activity. There were 34 cases reported during the month of August (down from 61 in July). The rate of transmission remains below 1, at .89, meaning the number of people testing positive is shrinking. The seven-day average had decreased by 20% from one week ago and had decreased 47% from one month ago. The percent positivity is 10.43%, which is lower than 18.25 that we reported last month.
81.4% of all NJ residents 5+ are fully vaccinated. 86 vaccinations were given by the health department and 450 home test kits were distributed to community partners during the month.
Information on vaccinated residents can be found on the covid dashboard: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml
This week, New Jersey saw a daily average of 2,918 confirmed cases (down from 3,390 cases four weeks ago and up from 2,420 cases eight weeks ago) and 10 average daily fatalities (up from 8 four weeks ago and up from 8 eight weeks ago). New Jersey has the 17h highest confirmed cases per capita last week (down from 15th last month). Statewide, New Jersey had an average of 971 hospitalizations this week (down from 1,133 last month) Overlook reports 15 hospitalized patients last week.
Our “Pee Wee” (age 6 months—4 years) covid vaccination campaign continues. Fanwood has the following vaccination rates in this age group (all highest in the County—great job!):
- 39% 6 mo.—2 years with at least one dose
- 13% 6 mo-2 years who are fully vaccinated
- 44% of 3–4-year-olds with at least one dose
- 21% 3–4-year-olds who are fully vaccinated
We expect to be ready to offer newly formulated Covid booster doses next week. These booster doses are bivalent meaning they contain the original covid formulation along with a new formulation that is protective against BA.5. Residents who have completed a primary series or have had their last booster dose at least two months ago are encouraged to get vaccinated with the new boosters. BA.5 is still circulating widely in New Jersey and over the past four weeks, has made up over 85% tested Covid cases.
The health department will be offering appointments, walk-in clinics, home visits and pop-up clinics to distribute booster doses. We will have Pfizer (approved for individuals 12 and older) and Moderna (approved for individuals 18 and older) at all clinic locations.
Individuals should check the department website www.westfieldnj.gov/health for vaccination availability. Additionally, CDC has a tool to help residents determine if they are eligible for a newly formulated booster which can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
The health department continues to provide vaccinations for all age groups. Residents can also book appointments online by visiting westfieldnj.gov/vaccine-appointments or by calling 908-789-4070. Home visits continue to be offered as well. We encourage all residents to get their covid booster and a flu shot as medical experts are concerned about a “twindemic” of both flu and covid occurring this winter.
NJ is reporting 595 total monkeypox (MPX) cases (up from 188 last month), with 51 cases identified in Union County (9% of all statewide cases. Union County is offering monkeypox vaccine clinics during September. Details are attached.
More information on MPX can be found here. https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/monkeypox.shtml
Monkeypox is less transmissible than covid, but the health department is recommending that anyone at increased risk for contracting monkeypox consider vaccination. Those at increased risk include:
- People who have known contact with someone who tested positive for orthopox virus or monkeypox virus within past 14 days (contact your local health department to coordinate vaccination)
- People who attended an event where known monkeypox exposure occurred within 14 days (make an appointment at a vaccine location)
- People who identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men (MSM), and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary and who have a history of multiple or anonymous sex with partners within past 14 days (make an appointment at a vaccine location)
Anyone interested in obtaining a monkeypox vaccination can find one by using the monkeypox vaccine finder https://www.nj.gov/health/monkeypox/vaccines/index.shtml
And lastly, we continue to work with the schools and child care centers to ensure that this year is safe and as back to normal as can be for all of the students and staff returning.
