Summit COVID Case Numbers Decline; More Adults Vaccinated

SUMMIT, NJ — On Tuesday, Summit officials released the total numbers for new coronavirus cases in the city for all of April, and the percent of adults in the city who are now vaccinated.

There were 136 total new cases in April, which is a 37 percent decrease from March — showing that as vaccinations rise, cases come down.

The news comes at an interesting time.

Almost exactly a year ago, on April 30, New Jersey suffered through its worst day of the coronavirus crisis — 460 residents died of the virus in 24 hours, or one every three minutes. People were scrambling for protective equipment, and hospitals didn't have enough ventilators and tests. READ MORE: 'I Cannot Get Air': Union County Woman Begged For Test

A year later, 3 million New Jerseyans have been vaccinated as of this past Friday. Is there a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel?

Summit officials said that 76 percent of the adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 51 percent are fully vaccinated.

In Union County 225, 783 residents (40.5 percent of the total population) have received one dose and 140,633 (25.2 percent of the total population) are fully vaccinated.

Studies have shown that the vaccine is at least 95 percent effective against the virus, and among those who still get it, it will reduce the chance of hospitalization and death.

"According to health officials, infection activity remains at a moderate level in Summit," said a city spokesperson. "The state is out of high transmission and is at a moderate transmission level. New Jersey has also dropped to the state with the sixth highest number of confirmed cases per capita. Statewide and locally there has been a decrease in reported cases and hospitalizations."

Still, there are 1,382 people in New Jersey hospitalized with the virus, 196 on ventilators. There were 32 resident fatalities confirmed from Tuesday to Wednesday. And as of Wednesday, 3.6 million New Jerseyans were fully vaccinated.

The city of Summit released these statistics for April:

Age breakdowns:

· 31 cases ages 18 and younger;

· 38 cases ages 19 to 29;

· 10 cases ages 30 to 39;

· 11 cases ages 40 to 49;

· 15 cases ages 50 to 59;

· 8 cases ages 60 to 69;

· 3 cases ages 70 to 74;

· 6 cases ages 80 to 89;

· 3 cases ages 90 to 94.

Contract tracing:

· 33 cases with household contact;
· 32 cases were unable to be contacted;
· 32 cases with no known exposure;
· 10 cases were under investigation;
· Four cases with known exposure;
· Four cases at a medical facility;
· Three cases refused interview;
· Three cases at a school/daycare;
· Three cases at a place of employment;
· Three cases at a team sport;
· Three cases associated with travel;
· Three cases at a social gathering;
· Two cases at a religious service;
· One case of homelessness.

There has been a total of 1,747 cases in Summit since March 2020. Total case numbers are updated and adjusted weekly following contact tracing interviews.

All six New Jersey vaccination mega sites are now accepting walk in appointments.

The Summit Community Center vaccination site is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. when vaccine supplies are available. No walk-ins are accepted. Eligible people can register to receive a vaccination appointment alert at https://www.atlantichealth.org. Summit senior citizens and other residents without internet access may call the Department of Community Services at 908-277-2932 for assistance with signing up for a vaccination alert notification.

Find out where else to get vaccinated and information on the types of vaccines here: where to get vaccinated in Union County.

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