Essex County COVID Updates: Vaccine Visits, Town-By-Town Cases

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Workers and volunteers with the state health department have been paying visits to several towns in Essex County this week and knocking on the doors of residents. The reason for their visit? To boost coronavirus vaccine numbers in New Jersey – one household at a time.

New Jersey officials announced Monday that a group of government employees and volunteers dubbed the “COVID-19 Community Corps” will be knocking on doors in towns that haven’t reached 70 percent of their adult population getting their first doses, the state’s target goal.

“For general canvassing, they will go to all homes in a neighborhood, speak with those who haven't been vaccinated or thank those who have and encourage them to speak with their friends,” said Nancy Kearney, a spokeswoman with the New Jersey Department of Health.

“If no one is home, they will leave door hanger information on the vaccines and other social services information from the state Health Department,” Kearney said. Read More: NJ COVID Corps Will Knock On Doors, Encourage Vaccine

This week’s list included three of Essex County’s largest municipalities: Newark, East Orange and Irvington.

According to state health data, 56 percent of Newark residents 18 and over have gotten at least one dose of vaccine as of June 17. The rate stood at 46 percent in East Orange and 44 percent in Irvington.

However, numbers are on the rise as outreach continues. Four weeks ago, the rate was 48 percent in Newark, 40 percent in East Orange and 37 percent in Irvington.

Essex County is ahead of the nation as a whole, with 70.7 percent of all adults having received at least one dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More: Essex County Ahead Of Biden's Coronavirus Vaccine Goal

It isn’t clear how long the home visits will continue – but it may be a while, state officials say.

“As part of our Operation Jersey Summer, we have our COVID-19 Community Corps working door-to-door across a bunch of communities, municipalities to make sure everyone not only has the facts they need to make the right decision about getting vaccinated, but that they know where to get vaccinated,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“Our COVID-19 community core team have knocked on more than 134,000 doors … in additional to making nearly 60,000 phone calls and texts,” Murphy said Monday.

“We’re not stopping,” he added.

• See related article: Sen. Bob Menendez Unmasks To Promote Vaccines At Newark Event
• See related article: Whoopi Goldberg Visits East Orange For COVID Vaccine Clinic
• See related article: NJ Governor Visits Pop-Up Vaccine Site At Irvington Barber Shop

WHERE TO GET A COVID VACCINE IN ESSEX COUNTY

Essex County currently operates vaccine sites in Newark and West Orange. They offer walk-in appointments to anyone who lives, works or attends school in the county. Learn more here.

New Jersey has also cleared the way for many other vaccination sites across the state, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, supermarkets, pharmacies and doctor's offices. Some are accepting appointments or have residency requirements, but others do not. People can visit COVIDvaccine.nj.gov to preregister.

New Jersey has also launched a "vaccine appointment finder," which can be seen here.

ESSEX COUNTY: LOCAL COVID CASE, DEATH TOTALS

Essex County released town-by-town updates for cumulative COVID-19 cases and deaths on Friday (see chart below).

Officials noted that the data may not match state or local reports, because local health departments may reassign places of residence after investigations.

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