Over 80% Of Jersey City Residents Have at Least One COVID Shot

JERSEY CITY, NJ — As COVID-19 cases begin to rise again across the country and the new Delta Variant proves to be a new threat, officials are urging residents to get vaccinated.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop took a moment on Facebook to praise Jersey City residents on Monday after the city reached a new vaccination milestone: more than 80 percent of Jersey City residents have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

"As one of the most densely populated cities in the country and also the single most diverse city in the country this is no small task. Let’s continue the progress," Fulop wrote on Facebook.

Jersey City has seen 23 new COVID-19 cases within the last two weeks as of Sunday, according to data collected by the city. As of July 31, all of New Jersey's 21 counties except one have now entered "high" or "substantial" levels of coronavirus transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meaning that the CDC wants residents in those counties to wear face masks again in indoor public settings — even if they've been vaccinated.

Jersey City School Superintendent Franklin Walker joined the chorus of public officials urging those eligible — residents age 12 and over — to get vaccinated. Walker noted that vaccines and masking are the best lines of defense against the virus and will greatly improve the health and safety of students and staff for the upcoming, in-person school year.

Other officials like Ward E Councilman James Solomon are trying to take the push for vaccines past recommendations. On Monday, Solomon called on school district officials and the mayor to mandate vaccines for all school and municipal employees.

The call comes after Gov. Murphy announced employees in healthcare facilities must either be vaccinated or undergo regular testing. On Friday, Hoboken's Mayor Ravi Bhalla signed a mandate that city employees must be fully vaccinated by Aug. 9, and those who are not must take weekly tests and wear a face covering indoors and when interacting with the public.

Jersey City has 1o vaccination sites within the city and two other sites in Kearny that accept Jersey City residents, all listed on the city website. You can call the city hotline to schedule an appointment for a vaccine at 201-373-2316. New Jersey recently added a "vaccine appointment finder" that can be seen here.

Also Read:

• Jersey City Schools Stress Vaccine Importance In Return Message
• Councilman Calls For Mandatory Vaccines For School, City Workers
• COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing Now Mandatory For NJ Health Care Staff

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