NJDOH COVID-19 Dashboard – 1-15-21. Credit: NJDOH.
Another 5,490 New Jersey residents have tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the statewide total to 555,299 cases confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, Governor Phil Murphy reported Friday.
New Jersey is also reporting 1,042 new COVID-probable cases based on antigen tests, bringing the statewide total to 60,787 positive antigen tests.
Antigen tests have a faster turnaround time than PCR tests sometime within 15 to 30 minutes but are less reliable at detecting active infection of the virus and more capable of reporting false positives.
Sadly, 67 more residents have perished from complications related to the virus, bringing the statewide death toll to 18,229 lives lost during the pandemic.
Each site will be state-run, according to officials. But with a goal of vaccinating as many as 2,400 residents a day at each location, the state will need help. And the counties are prepared to offer it, officials said.
“Together, we have been studying and addressing all of the plan work, logistics, needs etc. in preparation of being an approved site, said Gloucester County Freeholder Dan Christy.
State and county officials initially plan on using the sites to complete Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout. Last week, hospital systems administered the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to a little over 2,000 healthcare workers. But there are about 650,000 healthcare workers in NJ, according to NJ Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
WHYY
By
A woman stands near signs at University Hospital s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The state of New Jersey has begun building out a statewide network of sites to perform mass vaccinations – but the news comes as pharmaceutical manufacturers fall short of promised doses.
At a weekly COVID-19 press briefing, Gov. Phil Murphy announced six forthcoming vaccine “mega-sites” and plans to eventually establish 200 satellite sites in hospitals, urgent care centers, and chain pharmacies.
The six major vaccination sites will be located at the Meadowlands Complex in Bergen County, Rockaway Townsquare Mall in Morris County, Moorestown Mall in Burlington County, Rowan College in Gloucester County, the NJ Convention Center in Middlesex County, and the Atlantic City Convention Center.
NJ administers first COVID vaccine in the state
By Kathy Carvajal and Associated Press
Published
New Jersey begins vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccine shipments are arriving in New Jersey. Maritza Beniquez, a nurse at University Hospital in Newark, was the first person to receive a shot. Gov. Phil Murphy said this is a major step in ending the pandemic.
NEW JERSEY - A healthcare worker from University Hospital in Newark became the first person in New Jersey to receive the vaccine for the coronavirus.
Flanked by Gov. Phil Murphy, NJ Health Commissioner Judith Persichelli, and hospital officials, Emergency Department Registered Nurse Maritza Beniquez was administered the shot just after 8 a.m. Tuesday.
New Jersey to Administer First Coronavirus Vaccine on Tuesday | The Jewish Press - JewishPress com | Hana Levi Julian | 28 Kislev 5781 – December 13, 2020 jewishpress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jewishpress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.