A letter from County Executive Brian M. Hughes
Dear Mercer County Community,
The biggest obstacle to COVID-19 vaccinations continues to be very limited vaccine supply. But the picture is beginning to brighten. As I shared in my annual State of the County address last night, Mercer County will get 700 more vaccine doses per week from the state, for a total of 1,500, beginning next week. That does not include vaccine received by hospitals, pharmacies and private clinics. Although it’s still a long way from where we need to be, it’s welcome news and I thank Governor Murphy and his team for hearing our pleas. The fact remains that New Jersey needs more vaccine from the federal government, but the Biden administration is already starting to make that happen and the situation will continue to improve.
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Mercer County’s vaccination site at CURE Insurance Arena, which is being managed by Capital Health, is administering vaccinations to those eligible under the state’s phasing plan that prioritizes people most at risk. To get a vaccination at the arena, you must register through the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov. If you need help with the vaccine scheduling system, please contact the New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545. I recommend that everyone, even if you are not yet eligible to receive a vaccine, pre-register on NJVSS or by contacting the call center.
Mercer County continues to offer a free at-home saliva test for COVID-19. The saliva test is available to County residents 14 years or older and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker in Mercer County. Details can be found on the COVID-19 Testing page on the County website.
With the virus still active in our community, it’s crucial that everyone continue to follow precautions. When out in public, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Keep at least 6 feet away from other people. Practice good hand hygiene. Stay home if you are sick. Avoid crowds. Above all, use common sense.
I appreciate your patience and perseverance as we battle this pandemic together. Let’s continue to support each other and keep each other safe.
Brian M. Hughes
Mercer County Executive
VACCINATIONS
Mercer County has opened a vaccination site at CURE Arena in Trenton, in partnership with Capital Health. An extremely limited number of doses are available at this time due to a supply shortage at the federal level. In order to receive a vaccination at CURE Arena, you must first register with the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov. You will be notified when it is time for you to schedule an appointment. When you go to get vaccinated, remember to wear clothing that makes your upper arm accessible.
If you need assistance with NJVSS, visit covid19.nj.gov/vaccinehelp or call New Jersey’s toll-free COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 855-568-0545.
For information on getting the second dose of the vaccine, click here.
For information on vaccination eligibility, locations and more, visit the state’s vaccine website at https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine. Even if you are eligible for receiving a vaccine, an appointment may not be immediately available to you due to significantly limited vaccine availability.
Current COVID-19 vaccination eligibility:
• Paid or unpaid individuals working in a health care setting
• Residents of long-term care facilities and other congregate settings
• Frontline first responders
• Individuals age 65 and older
• Individuals age 16 to 64 who have at least one medical condition, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which increases the risk of severe illness from the virus.
TESTING
Mercer County offers a free at-home saliva test for COVID-19. The saliva test is available to County residents 14 years or older and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker in Mercer County. Details on the at-home testing program can be found on the COVID-19 Testing page on the County website.
An updated list of COVID-19 testing locations in Mercer County can be found on the Trenton Health Team’s website: https://trentonhealthteam.org/covidtests/.
CURRENT STATUS
The NJ Department of Health on Jan. 29 announced 5,023 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 (established through PCR testing), bringing the cumulative total of confirmed cases in the state to 615,202; and 83 additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 19,254 confirmed deaths and 2,129 probable deaths. Mercer County's 152 new confirmed cases bring its cumulative total to 23,425, with 776 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 38 probable deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard for more statewide information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 28 announced 155,504 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the United States to 25,456,670; and 4,107 additional deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 427,626 with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting.
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HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19?
The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the state to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call (general COVID-19 questions): 2-1-1 (24/7)
Call (medical COVID-19 questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Call (vaccine appointment support): 1-855-568-0545 (8a-8p)
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts
Visit covid19.nj.gov or nj.gov/health for additional information
COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's Mental Health Hotline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may contact:
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
• Crisis Text Line: Text “NJ” to 741741
• Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572- 7233
• Family Helpline: 1-800-843-5437
• Listing of additional resources.
HEAL, NJ Health Care Workers COVID Hope & Healing Helpline, provides live COVID crisis counseling support, 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to all New Jersey health care workers, their families, and caregivers statewide, with emergency support available 24/7. Call 1-833-416-8733 or visit healhealthcareworkers.com.
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RISE, NJ First Responders COVID Hope & Healing Helpline, provides live COVID crisis counseling support, 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to all New Jersey first responders, including police, firefighters, EMS, National Guard, military and veterans, their families, and caregivers statewide, with emergency support available 24/7. Call 1-833-237-4325 or visit risefirstresponders.com.
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JOBS AND HIRING
Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? The State of New Jersey has created a resource page to help you connect to benefits and resources you need while you are trying to safely get back to work, as well as some tips for coping with the stress of losing a job: covid19.nj.gov/work. For a listing of employment opportunities, visit jobs.covid19.nj.gov.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
For information on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus and its impact on businesses – including resources, assistance and regulations -- visit the State of New Jersey business portal and the Mercer County Office of Economic Development’s COVID-19 Business Resources page.
PREVENTION AND SYMPTOMS
How COVID-19 spreads:
COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly by the following routes:
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks.
People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others.
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To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
• Wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
• Practice social distancing -- stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. Symptoms can include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you believe you've been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. COVID-19 Symptom Checker
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