Gov. Murphy Press Conference, Jan. 29
• Murphy addressed the issue that arose at the Gloucester County Mega Vaccination Site yesterday when, due to a scheduling system error, appointments were double booked. He said he regrets the confusion, and the state is working with the vendor to correct it with “spirited exchanges”. NJ Deputy Health Director Dr. David Adinaro thanked the team at the site for vaccinating the unexpected individuals that showed up, saying they went above and beyond in their efforts. It was stated that they gave out 2,400 vaccinations yesterday. The only site effected with the scheduling system error was the Gloucester site.
• 3 new UK variant COVID cases are now reported. This makes a total of 11 in the state. Ocean County has 4, Essex 2, Morris 2, Hudson 1, Warren 1, Middlesex 1. Two of the victims are known travelers.• There is one new report of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in a child. This makes a total of 84 in the state. At this time, 2 are hospitalized. The breakdown of ethnicity of the victims are 22% white, 24% black, 41% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 7% other.
• Murphy reported that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is close to applying for emergency use, has a 72% efficacy. However, it has an 85% efficacy against a severe case after 28 days and is completely effective against hospitalization and deaths after 28 days and completely effective against severe cases after 49 days. It is effective against every known variant of the virus, even the South African mutation. Murphy said that Johnson & Johnson did 40% of their test trials in America, 40% in Brazil, and 20% in South Africa. This is a single dose vaccination that does not require cold storage.
• Vaccinations in Long-Term Care: 1,270 first shot clinics scheduled with 927 completed and 1,245 second clinics scheduled and 156 completed for a total of 113,275 vaccinations administered. CVS and Walgreens are handling this as part of a federal project.
• Interstate youth indoor sports competitions remain prohibited within New Jersey. Murphy stated that interstate travel and associated activities among teams are particularly risky, as these settings create new opportunities for the virus to spread.
• The NJ Department of Human Services is extending #COVID19 childcare assistance programs through the end of February. The Department will also continue to waive co-pays in the state’s child-care subsidy program for parents who request it due to impacts from COVID. For more information visit childcarenj.gov
• The deadline has been extended until May 15 for eligible uninsured residents to enroll in health insurance through a COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period. Visit getcovered.nj.gov for information.
• Murphy’s take on the GameStop Stock Market play: “When people who normally don’t talk about the stock market start talking to you about it like, did you see the Giant’s game last night, it’s time to sell because when these things start dropping it’s like trying to catch a knife when they go down. Good luck and by the way, it’s bloody.”
• LOCAL LONG TERM CARE CHANGES: New addition to the list – Mullica Gardens Assisted Living: 2 resident cases (2); Manorcare Washington Twp.: +1 resident case (62), +1 staff case (32); Manorcare West Deptford: +2 resident cases (24); Jefferson +3 staff cases (57); Woodbury Mews: +1 staff case (17); Terraces +6 resident cases (12), +1 staff case (6).
— by Karen E. Viereck, Editor/Publisher
