COVID-19 News: Testing, Vaccine Updates and More

COVID-19 VACCINATION AND TESTING INFORMATION
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.

On Monday morning (1/25/21) at 8:00am, the state went live with its Vaccination Helpline. The number is (855) 568-0545. Middlesex County has also set up a Call Center at (732) 745-3100. If you know someone who does not have access to the Internet or a computer, please assist them with signing up for the vaccine and/or making a phone call to the above contact information.
In addition, the Neighborhood Health Clinic of Plainfield has begun accepting vaccination enrollment at their facilities, located at 1700-58 Myrtle Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07063. The Clinic will be following the State of New Jersey’s roll-out program for COVID-19 vaccination. You must pre-register at https://www.nhscnj.org/register-for-vaccine or you may call their hot-line to set up an appointment at (908) 540-0229.

The Borough of Dunellen is partnering with The Neighborhood Health Clinic of Plainfield, and the Living Hope Outreach Center of Dunellen, in sponsoring a free COVID-19 testing event on Saturday, January 30, 2021, from 9 am to 3 pm, in the Dunellen Public Library/Skinner Plaza Train Station parking lot. Pre-registration is requested though walk-ups are welcome. Furthermore, because testing is limited, it is encouraged that participants sign-up closer to the testing date, as those in most need of a test will not know until a day or two before the testing date. To register, go to tinyurl.com/uniontesting.

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 ELIGIBILITY EFFECTIVE 1/14/21 (posted 1/14/2021)
Please review the following graphic, courtesy of the NJ Department of Health, to determine if you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccine Eligibility as of 01-14_Final

VACCINATION RESOURCES FROM THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES (posted 1/14/2021)
The State is in the process of determining phase 1B and 1C. 
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
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

REGISTER WITH THE NEW JERSEY VACCINE SCHEDULING SYSTEM (updated 1/7/2021)
Pre-register for the vaccine through the State’s online portal at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/.
It takes about 15 minutes. This will allow you to pre-register for eligibility, and to input your personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. It will also allow for individuals to schedule an appointment for those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions. Your responses will help determine when you will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

BOROUGH COVID-19 UPDATES
TOTAL CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES (updated 3/10/2021)
The Middlesex County Public Health Department has informed us of 684 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dunellen and 11 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

Middlesex County expands COVID-19 vaccine accessibility

Booking a vaccine appointment is easy and convenient; walk-in appointments beginning May 13

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 homebound populations.

 

“We encourage all residents who have registered for a vaccine and have not yet been able to reserve their first appointment, to visit the County’s new vaccine scheduling portal to book a vaccine appointment now or drop by starting May 13 for a walk-in appointment,” said Shanti Narra, County Commissioner and Chair of Public Safety & Health Committee. “Getting vaccinated is a major step forward in helping to end this health crisis– it not only protects our residents but their loved ones as well from serious COVID-19 disease.

Schedule of Week of May 10th COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in Middlesex County:

10        Middlesex County Office of Health Services

1 Ericsson Drive, Piscataway

3 - 7 pm                

Tuesday, May 11        Epic Church International

2707 Main Street Extension, Sayreville

10 am – 1:30 pm              

Thursday, May 13      Middlesex County Office of Health Services

1 Ericsson Drive, Piscataway

3 - 7 pm

 

Friday, May 14            Epic Church International

2707 Main Street Extension, Sayreville

10 am – 1:30 pm              

The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center

10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

10 am - 1 pm

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, which is offered at all eight County-operated vaccination sites. All Middlesex County vaccination sites are open to Middlesex County residents only, and the Moderna vaccine is only available to individuals 18 years and older.



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/

May 22, 2020 "Weekly Update" from Scutari, Kennedy and Carter, click here.

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.

FEMA Extends Grace Period for Flood Insurance Renewal Premiums

FEMA continues to take proactive steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to help serve its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) customers who may be experiencing financial hardships, the agency is extending the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days.

To avoid a lapse in coverage, there is typically a 30-day grace period to renew National Flood Insurance Program policies. However, due to the widespread economic disruption arising from this pandemic, FEMA recognizes that policyholders may not meet the standard deadline.

This extension will allow additional time for policyholders who may be struggling financially to pay insurance premiums and ensure their policies are not cancelled for nonpayment of premium due to circumstances beyond their control.

If a policy has an expiration date between February 13, 2020 and June 15, 2020, then the NFIP insurer must receive the appropriate renewal premium within 120 days of the expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage. Likewise, if a policyholder receives an underpayment notice dated between February 13, 2020, and June 15, 2020, then the NFIP insurer must receive the additional premium amount requested within 120 days of the date of the notice.

Policyholders who need additional time to pay their premiums, beyond the 120-day extension, should contact their agent or insurer to inquire about other options the insurer may offer for premium payment.

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.