Cranbury Township has seen an increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the first month of 2021.
Police Chief Michael Owens informed the community in a briefing to the Cranbury Township Committee about the latest data figures at the Township Committee meeting on Jan. 25.
As of Jan. 25, this month’s number of 45 positive cases increased by double digits from December and the township has experienced two deaths in January as a result of COVID-19.
“We are up to 45 cases reported in Cranbury this month. In comparison, in December we had 33, November we had 28, so 45 is pretty high. This month, unfortunately we had two deaths reported from COVID-19,” Owens said. “We had a 53-year-old individual resident die from COVID and a 60-year-old resident as well. With any COVID vaccine information that you might be looking for I would direct you to www.nj.gov for information on COVID testing sites and vaccine centers.”
As of Jan. 25, Middlesex County had reported 58,968 total cases of COVID-19 since last March, with the county having experienced 1,624 deaths through the current pandemic.
“I get my numbers from the New Jersey Department of Health. They update me daily on a number of cases that come through with specific addresses and specific cases. Forty-five cases (in a month) I think is a lot for our town,” Owens said. “When I do get reports there are occasionally outside areas in our report that I have to send back. Those are not counted in our daily counts.”
Vaccinations are currently available only for paid and unpaid persons who are healthcare personnel (Phase 1A), long-term care residents and staff (Phase 1A), first responders (Phase 1B), and individuals at high risk (Phase 1B).
According to Middlesex County, the county began administering and dispensing the preventative COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna, to Phase 1A recipients in late December.
“It is recommended that everyone gets a vaccine. On a personal note, I have received my first shot of the Moderna vaccine and experienced very little side effects,” Owens said. “I had a sore arm for three days and felt a little crappy, for the lack of a better term, for a day. But after a couple Advil I felt OK.
“Just as a remind for COVID, wear your mask, remain socially distanced, wash your hands often, sanitize and stay home if you are sick and avoid crowds,” he said.
Outside of the mega vaccination site in Edison at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, other vaccine site locations in Middlesex County include the Monroe Township Senior Center in Monroe, Community Arts Center in East Brunswick, The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick, Middlesex County Office of Health Services in Piscataway, Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville, and Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School in Perth Amboy.
According to information from the county, vaccination sites will be open strictly based on vaccine supply to the county and residents will be eligible for vaccination based on the state’s phased approach.