By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
With the potential to have vaccines for COVID-19 getting to New Jersey within the next month, Gov. Phil Murphy said the state is pushing to ensure the presidential transition can begin so there are no holdups on federal support for vaccine distribution.
“We’re back at a place we haven’t seen in many months,” Murphy said on Monday at his COVID-19 press conference. Unlike other places in the country that are content to “let the virus have its way, that’s not what we’re about in New Jersey.”
“We need the federal government to be right beside us,” he added, which is why he and state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli sent a letter to General Services Administration Administrator Emily Murphy “imploring her” to allow the transition coordination between the Trump Administration and President-elect Joe Biden and his team.
Part of the transition is allowing Biden’s team access to plans for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they’re available.
Murphy echoed Biden’s concerns that not having the next president brought up to speed on the distribution will cost lives.
He said the state began preparing for a vaccine plan going back to March and his filed its plan with the federal government.
If Pfizer is granted approval on its vaccine, the governor said the state could receive its first 130,000 doses by the third week of December and another 130,000 doses the following week. And if Moderna has its vaccine approved, there could be another 100,000 doses in New Jersey before the end of the year.
“We are ready to move forward the moment these vaccines get to us,” Murphy said.
He and Persichilli said health care workers would be the first to get the vaccines. Persichilli said they will be releasing a plan on who, exactly, would be prioritized for the vaccine because there are 650,000 health care workers in New Jersey and not enough doses to cover them initially. She noted that the state was expecting to get 1.1 million doses a month on a rolling basis by the end of January.
Numbers rising
“We can’t let our guard down,” Murphy said. “The numbers show why we need to remain at a heightened state.”
The state Department of Health reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths Monday, bringing total to 14,960 with another 1,812 probable COVID-19-related fatalities. There were another 3,592 new positive test results announced Monday, pushing the COVID-19 total to 309,588. The positivity rate is at 8.65 percent and the rate of transmission is 1.32.
As of Sunday, there were 2,693 patients treated; 247 were discharged and 333 patients admitted. There were 537 in critical care and 240 ventilators in use.
21 died in hospital Sunday.
537 in critical care and 240 ventilators in use.
Lower Township man recognized
At most of his press conference on COVID-19, the governor recognizes citizens whose lives were claimed by the coronavirus. On Monday, he cited Ronald Frech of Villas in Lower Township. Although born and bred in northern New Jersey, he came to Cape May County 40 years ago and worked as a custodian in Middle Township School No. 2 and Stone Harbor Elementary School. He also drove a trolley for Cape May MAC for 15 years. He and his late wife had five children, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was 83 years old.
Study on mask mandates
Persichilli said the Centers for Disease Control did a study of counties in Kansas with and without mask mandates. Those with a mask mandate saw a 6 percent decrease in new cases. Those without a mandate, a 100 percent increase in new cases.
“This study demonstrates how effective masks can be in reducing the spread of the virus,” she said. She noted the masks also will help prevent the spread of the flu.
Testing available
In southern New Jersey, testing is available at St. Michael’s Church, 10 N. Mississippi Ave., Atlantic City, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday of this week, at the Atlantic City Convention Center, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 5 and Dec. 7 to 12.
There also will be testing available on the campus of Stockton University, noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6 at Townsend Residential Life Center and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8 at Lakeside Towne Hall.
Mental health support
After reiterating the recommendation that Thanksgiving gatherings are limited to immediate family, the governor noted that if the stress levels rise, there is a resource for mental health support in New Jersey.
“We know that the holidays in a normal year can be stressful, but this year even more so as so many of you are making arrangements that don’t include family and friends who you yearn to see. If you need a break and need someone to talk to, reach out and make the call,” Murphy said.
Call 1-866-202-HELP or text “NJHOPE” to 51684 for free, confidential support from NJ Mental Health Cares. Deaf or hard-of-hearing residents can call (973) 870-0677 from their videophones. The lines are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Small Business Help
Murphy said the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program has provided more than $120 million to more than 27,000 businesses and 22,000 more will receive Phase 3 grants. Visit covid19.business.nj.gov for more information. Small businesses also can get discounts up to 70 percent on personal protective equipment (PPE) up to 70 percent. Visit covid19.nj.gov/ppeaccess.