The new year started with a record number of coronavirus cases. As of January 31, Jersey City has reported a total of 4,539 new cases for the first month of the year, according to the JC COVID-19 dashboard. That tops the previous high of 4,200 set in April of last year. Fortunately, there were only 47 COVID-19-related deaths in January versus 338 back in April. Hospitalizations were also significantly lower in January than they were last spring.
However, health officials worry that new COVID-19 strains could lead to yet another surge in cases. Furthermore, a new report by NJ.com shows that the city has only vaccinated 1,300 residents. In a Facebook post last week, Mayor Steven Fulop blames the low number on a lack of vaccine doses from the state.
“Two weeks ago the state allocated a total of 300 doses for the entire city,” wrote Fulop. “This week they gave us 500 doses, and next week they have told us the number will be 700 doses for the entire city. This is not a JC unique issue though as the entire Hudson County this week was allocated 3500 doses.”
Currently, the Bethune Center is the only site administering vaccines to eligible Jersey City residents. Appointments can be made by calling the Department of Health and Human Services at (201) 547-5750. Although other Jersey City COVID-19 vaccination sites are in the works, the city’s registration site has been inactive for weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic in March, coronavirus Jersey City cases have hit 18,503 with a total of 629 confirmed deaths.
