COVID-19 News: Testing, Vaccine Updates and More

COVID-19 VACCINATION AND TESTING INFORMATION
The Excluded New Jerseyans Fund (ENJF) provides a one-time, direct cash benefit to eligible households who have suffered an economic hardship due to COVID-19 and were excluded from both the federal stimulus checks and COVID related unemployment assistance - including undocumented individuals, residents re-entering from the justice system, and any other individuals otherwise excluded. Applications for this program are now open. Click here for more information. 

This week Governor Murphy announced that next week will be the Governor’s last weekly COVID-19 briefing noting that we are transitioning from pandemic to epidemic; noted that New Jersey has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country; and that the Department of Health released its updated public health and safety guidance with regards to masking in K-12 schools and Child Care settings.

COVID-19 Resources
 
Housing Assistance & Counseling: Foreclosure Prevention & Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency) and Free housing counseling: www.njerma.com; 855-647-7700.
 
NJ PCR Tests: For NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Service free PCR test requests, https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.
 
Federal Rapid Tests: Request up to four free tests per home, www.COVIDTests.gov.
 
Vaccinations for the Homebound: For in-home vaccination information, visit www.covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax; 855-568-0545.
 
Vaccination Records: NJ Department of Health COVID vaccination records: NJ Docket, a secure and free smartphone app..
 
Mental Health Resources: Department of Children and Families mental health support resources page for youth, for parents, and for educators, www.covid19.nj.gov/youthhelp

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Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

  • Limit of one order per residential address
  • One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
  • Orders will ship free starting in late January
Please click here to be directed to the form. 


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Free At-Home Testing is Available

Covid test

The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Services have partnered to offer a free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test kit that is available to every New Jerseyan who thinks they need a test – even if you don't have symptoms.

The kit will be shipped through UPS with next-day delivery. Once received, you will connect over Zoom with a Vault healthcare professional who will walk you through the test and answer your questions.

When complete, the test can be sent back in a prepaid package via UPS next-day shipping. You will receive your test results 24 to 48 hours after your sample arrives at the lab.

In addition, in-person testing is available at locations across the state, including free testing. Learn more about COVID-19 testing in New Jersey at covid19.nj.gov/testing.


NJ VACCINE CALL CENTER
(updated 1/25/2021)
Please call 855-568-0545 from 8am-8pm EST.

FROM THE MAYOR 
(1/26/2021)
As we begin to navigate the uncertain waters of 2021 during COVID-19, please keep in mind the importance of wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. Furthermore, please consider the value to yourself and others of being vaccinated and take the opportunity when it is offered. I am sure many have already signed up to get vaccinated on the New Jersey Scheduling System. This will help in continuing to protect ourselves, our friends and family-members, and most importantly, those who are most vulnerable in our community. If you have not yet signed up, please consider doing so at: covidvaccine.nj.gov.

Middlesex County is looking for volunteers to assist with COVID-19 vaccination in medical and non-medical roles. For more information, please visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/covid19; for most up-to-date COVID-19 update in Middlesex County, please visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/covid19.
 
If you are in need of assistance due to a mental health crisis because of the impact of COVID-19, please text the crisis line by texting “NJ” to 741741, call the family helpline at 1-800-843-5437 or call the mental health line at 1-866-202-4357.

As new information becomes available from the State of New Jersey, we will continue to update the public. We thank everyone for being patient. Please continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask, maintain good hand hygiene and limit social gatherings.

Respectfully,
Mayor Jason F. Cilento
 

VACCINATION RESOURCES FROM THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES (posted 1/14/2021)
The primary resource for information: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine
The direct link to the state registration page: https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/
The comprehensive list of current vaccine sites can be found at: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/healthcare-worker-covid-19-vaccine-locations
Find a location for a COVID-19 in your area: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing#test-sites
The NJ Department of Health has vaccine page, including the state’s submitted vaccination plan: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_vaccination.shtml


BOROUGH COVID-19 UPDATES

TOTAL CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES 
The Middlesex County Public Health Department has informed us of 1782 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dunellen and 15 deaths since March 2020.
We do not have any additional information but will keep you updated as is appropriate. Source: https://discovermiddlesex.com/total-cumulative-cases/.

BOROUGH OPENINGS 
Effective May 28, 2020, all Dunellen parks are open for certain recreational and leisure uses, for more information click here.
 
MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES AND UPDATES

Booking a vaccine appointment is easy and convenient; walk-in appointments 

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – As the nationwide roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine continues and supply increases steadily, Middlesex County is encouraging residents wishing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to schedule an appointment today. As part of a larger expansion of accessibility to COVID-19 vaccines, the County is now utilizing its own scheduling system, allowing individuals to select available dates, times, and locations of their vaccine appointment for clinics beginning May 10. Also, starting May 13, the County will welcome walk-ins at select clinics with no appointment needed. Middlesex County residents can visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/vaccine to book their appointments and for more details.

“Always prioritizing convenience and user-friendly services to residents, Middlesex County is now making it easier to secure a COVID-19 vaccine appointment,” said Ronald G. Rios, County Commissioner Director. “We are now at a stage in our vaccination efforts to ensure that all our residents have greater access to vaccine clinics. The new scheduling system available on the County website allows for direct reservation of appointments, giving greater flexibility to our residents.”

In addition to this scheduling system to book appointments directly, the County is planning to enhance its vaccination program by expanding hours of operation at clinics to include evening and weekend hours, offering walk-in appointments, creating pop-up vaccine clinics, and vaccinating hard-to-reach, vulnerable populations including home bound populations.

Residents can visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/vaccine for more information about this new schedule-based platform and instructions on how to book an appointment for the Moderna vaccine.



Coronavirus

What is Novel Coronavirus / COVID-19, click here.

LINKS
For Information on COVID-19 drive through testing click here. 

 For New Jersey's Covid-19 Information Hub, click this link:  https://covid19.nj.gov/

 
 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html    

https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases19/pr20190118c.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprevent-getting-sick%2Fcloth-face-cover.html


For New Jersey's Covid-19 Information Hub, click this link:  https://covid19.nj.gov/


The State has launched a jobs portal to help residents who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19 to find and apply for a new job at essential workplaces: https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/

During this time of emotional and yes, physical crisis, we remind you that your family, friends and neighbors are also frightened and confused.  Keep an eye out for them; call them regularly by telephone or Skype or Facebook; let them know that if they are in trouble, to let you know and you can make a call. You can also reach the crisis text line by texting “NJ” to 741741; call the family help line at 1-800-843-5437; the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-572-7233; or the mental health line at 1-866-202-4357. We encourage you to utilize these resources during this challenging time. You matter, and we want you to be safe. 



For Governor Phil Murphy's Executive Orders on the Coronavirus, click below:

Executive Order No. 104
Executive Order No. 105
Executive Order No. 106
Executive Order No. 107
Executive Order No. 108

 Please click here for a link to all of the executive orders since Coronavirus starting with number 102.

 

COVID GRAPHIC

Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others. Visit our new web page to learn How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask. Wear masks in public settings around people who don’t live in your household and when you can’t stay 6 feet away from others. 

Making a decision about selecting a mask can be confusing. This new web site provides tips on how to choose your masks. 


DO choose masks that

  • Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
  • Completely cover your nose and mouth
  • Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps

DO NOT choose masks that

  • Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe, for example, vinyl
  • Have exhalation valves or vents, which allow virus particles to escape
  • Are intended for healthcare workers, include N95 respirators or surgical masks

Find out more about how to select masks, face shields, gaiters and the best mask for people who wear glasses.

This new page also provides information on how to wear your mask and also on how NOT to wear your masks. Wear a mask correctly and consistently for the best protection.

  • Be sure to wash your hands before putting on a mask
  • Do NOT touch the mask when wearing it

Do NOT wear a mask around your neck, on your forehead, under your nose, only on your nose, on your chin, dangling from one ear, on your arm.

For more information about wearing, cleaning, and making masks, see our Masks web site. 


Memoranda on Coronavirus--COVID-19 from Mayor Jason F. Cilento

 
For a Memorandum from Mayor Jason F. Cilento on Municipal preparedness and actions regarding the Covid-19 situation,
dated March 13, 2020, please click this link
In Spanish, click this link.