COVID, Monkeypox Update In Westfield: Health Department

WESTFIELD, NJ — Overall COVID-19 cases in Westfield increased in the month of July, and transmission activity in Union County is showing a "high level."

Union County is showing high COVID activity, along with 13 other counties in the state. In Westfield, there were 289 cases reported during the month of July, which is up slightly from 283 in June.

This past week, New Jersey saw a daily average of 3,390 confirmed cases, which is up from 2,420 cases four weeks ago and down from 3,845 cases eight weeks ago, and eight average daily fatalities, according to the Health Department. This is unchanged from four weeks ago and down from 11 eight weeks ago.

New Jersey has the fifteenth highest number of confirmed cases per capita last week — up from twenty ninth place last month, the Health Department said. Statewide, New Jersey had an average of 1,133 hospitalizations this week, up from 884 last month.

Overlook Medical Center reported 18 hospitalized patients last week.

New Jersey State Health Department data reports that 76.8 percent of all NJ residents are fully vaccinated.

The Westfield Regional Health Department has given 90 vaccinations during the month of July with 3,958 doses of vaccine distributed by the WRHD to date.

Among the youngest NJ residents:

• 11 percent of residents ages six months to two years have had a single dose of vaccine;
• 21 percent of residents ages three to four years have had a single dose of vaccine.

Information on vaccinated residents can be found on the covid dashboard: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml

The WRHD 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.

Monkeypox

The State of New Jersey is reporting 188 total monkeypox (MPX) cases, with 14 cases identified in Union County. More information on MPX can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/monkeypox.shtml

The Westfield Regional Health Department anticipates the number of cases to rise in coming weeks and recommends that anyone at increased risk for contracting monkeypox should consider vaccination.

Read more: Monkeypox In Union County: Case Numbers, Who Can Get Vaccinated

Those at increased risk include:

• People with a known contact that have tested positive for orthopoxvirus or monkeypox virus within the past 14 days;
• People who attended an event where known monkeypox exposure occurred within the past 14 days; and
• 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 partners within the past 14 days.

Individuals with direct exposure or contact that test positive for monkeypox should contact their local health department to schedule a vaccination. Residents can book appointments online by visiting westfieldnj.gov/vaccine-appointments or by calling 908-789-4070.

Vaccines for monkeypox are currently limited in supply in New Jersey.

Below are the vaccine sites currently available:

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

• Location: Annex 2 (white tent structure), 230 East Ridgewood Ave, Paramus
• Phone: 800-730-2762
• Website: www.newbridgehealth.org

Cooper Vaccine & Testing Clinic, Cooper University Hospital

• Location: 300 Broadway, Camden
• Phone: 856-968-7100
• Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7am-8pm and Friday, 7am-5pm
• Website: https://my.cooperhealth.org/mychart/authentication/login

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation/Project Living Out Loud!

• Location: Jersey City
• Phone: 201-706-3480

The Prevention Resource Network, a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey

• Location: Asbury Park
• Website: www.prnvnacj.org/

North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)

• Location: Newark
• Phone: 973-483-3444 ext. 200