See How COVID Is Spreading In Union County With Delta Emerging

Westfield NJ

13 August, 2021

7:17 PM

Description

UNION COUNTY, NJ — As the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads swiftly, some hospitals in the United States have said they're running out of beds. In New Jersey, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said that area doctors are concerned about the rising rate of hospitalizations from COVID-19. READ MORE: Rise In Child COVID Hospitalizations Prompts Vaccination Plea On Monday, 13 children were in New Jersey hospitals with COVID-19, including two in the intensive care unit, said Persichilli. READ MORE: NJ Hospital Preps For COVID Surge As Kids Set To Return To School Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy mandated masks for the new school year, which for some districts starts later this month. Summit, for instance, starts school on Aug. 30. Children under 12 still cannot receive the COVID vaccine. The COVID vaccine is still 95 percent effective against the virus, according to medical professionals, and while vaccinated people may have "breakthrough cases," there is a lower chance of hospitalization or death. This week, Union County, as well as the rest of Central and North Jersey, showed "moderate" COVID activity, according to New Jersey's latest weekly report. The determination is based on metrics such as case rate, positivity rate and prevalence of COVID-like illnesses. Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle this week cited state statistics saying that between July 20-26, of 378 coronavirus patients admitted to the state's hospitals, 97 percent were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. And of the state's 21 coronavirus deaths in that time, all were either of unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people. As of Friday, there had been a total of 62,264 cases confirmed in Union County since the start of the pandemic, and 1,765 confirmed deaths, according to the state, with one death since the day before. These numbers will be compared with next Friday's numbers during the next weekly roundup. More than 617,000 Americans have now died from COVID (see which states have the highest recent death rates here), a 10,000 increase from two weeks ago. Most of those hospitalized with the virus are unvaccinated, say officials at the hospitals. Union County has two vaccination sites: at the Thomas Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth and Downs Hall at Kean University in Union. To learn more about the sites click here. The county also has multiple mobile pop-up vaccination sites coming up including: Saturday, Aug. 14 – Union 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Held during the County's Food Distribution Event) KEAN University in Union 1000 Morris Avenue J & J / Pfizer Vaccines AvailableSaturday, Aug. 14 – Elizabeth, noon to 2 p.m.: Church Without Walls event at Steele Memorial Church504 Court StreetJ & J / Pfizer Vaccines offered | Covid testing availableFriday, Aug. 20 – Hillside 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. AAK Food Services/Gargiulo Produce 535 Sweetland Ave., J & J / Pfizer Vaccines offered | Covid testing availableFriday, Aug. 20 – Plainfield 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Madison Avenue Skate Park. Partnership with United Way. 301-23 West 2nd Street, J & J / Pfizer Vaccines offered | Covid testing availableTuesday, Aug. 24 – Plainfield 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Held during the County's Food Distribution Event Gerald B. Green Plaza in Plainfield 200 West Second St. J & J / Pfizer Vaccines AvailableTuesday, Aug. 24 – Scotch Plains, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Scotch Plains High School 667 Westfield Road J & J / Pfizer Vaccines AvailableSaturday, Aug. 28 – Roselle 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Held during the County's Food Distribution Event, Warinanco Park in Roselle Warinanco Park Roadway J & J / Pfizer Vaccines Available READ MORE: COVID Hospitalizations Spike In NJ As Delta Variant SpreadsMayor: Westfield Had One Coronavirus Death In July Related Vaccine And Virus Information A recent study showed that 98 percent to 99 percent of recent COVID deaths in America were unvaccinated people. There also may be long-term symptoms for survivors.NJ Mom Urges: Please Listen to COVID 'Long-Haulers'Here is information on vaccine side effects, including the most rare but severe effects. 4 Things To Know About The Delta Variant Of Coronavirus In NJNew Jersey Town Says: Get Vaccinated Or No Spaghetti For You Want updates on breaking news when it happens? You can sign up for occasional breaking news alerts in your Union County town, or for a daily newsletter at 6 a.m. each morning with local news. Don't miss the stories your neighbors are talking about! Sign up with your preferences here. Got news? Email [email protected]. 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.