The roll out of the COVID vaccines took another major step forward this week. The Pfizer vaccine for the Coronavirus received full Food and Drug Administration approval after operating under an Emergency Use Authorization. This is the next step in the process and shows an additional layer of safety for these vaccines.
The Rate of Infection (RT) continued to decrease over the past week. If the RT is above 1.0, it can be said that the spread of COVID-19 is increasing. The RT is currently 1.12, which is down from 1.24 one week ago, according to the website covidactnow.com. The RT has been on the decline since July 29 within the County. New daily COVID-19 cases among Cape May County resident have gone up recently. Residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and to wear masks indoors when social distancing is difficult and ventilation not ideal.
The Cape May County Department of Health administered a total of 21,790 doses so far. The New Jersey Department of Health reports that 61,242 Cape May County residents have received at least one vaccine dose and 55,713 have been fully vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 62% of the County’s population is fully vaccinated. Cape May County is top five among counties in New Jersey for percentage of total population vaccinated.
The Cape May County Department of Health is providing COVID-19 vaccinations in the community weekly. This week, vaccines will be available from 9:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the Holly Beach Fire Company, located at 103 W Montgomery Ave, Wildwood, on August 30, at West Cape May Farmers Market, located at 732 Broadway, West Cape May, from 3:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. on August 30 and at the Wildwood Housing Authority, located at 3700 New Jersey Ave., Wildwoodfrom 9:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on September 2. Vaccinations are also available every Wednesday at the Cape May County Department of Health building, located at 6 Moore Rd. in Cape May Court House from 1 P.M. to 6 P.M.
“The Cape May County Department of Health has been doing a great job of visiting multiple places per week, including community events to make getting the COVID-19 vaccine as easy as possible,” said Cape May County Commissioner Jeff Pierson, liaison to the County’s Department of Health. “I have seen firsthand how hard the staff is working to protect our County residents and we continue to work collaboratively to figure out the best plans going forward to combat the coronavirus.”
For more information on obtaining the vaccine, quickly and free of charge, go to https://capemaycountynj.gov/226/Health-Department or call (609) 465-1187. Cape May County has recorded 10,316 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic, 9,512 of those are now off quarantine. More details on daily reported case numbers can be found at https://capemaycountynj.gov/1418/Covid-19-Dashboard.
Sadly, today we are announcing the passing of three Individuals this week a 61-year male from Lower Township, a 65-year old male from Upper Township and a 92-year old male from Middle Township, “Extending our deepest sympathy to all of the families during this sad time,” said Commissioner Director Gerald Thornton. “Our prayers and blessings are with you.”
