COVID-19 cases in Montgomery and Rocky Hill reach highest level since April

By Barbara A. Preston l July 30, 2021

HEALTH OFFICER URGES MASKING IN CROWDED INDOOR SPACES AS CASES RISE SHARPLY

Montgomery and Rocky Hill added 20 new COVID cases this week. This is the highest number of new cases in 12 weeks, according to Montgomery Health Officer Stephanie Carey.

“Even though we have been very effective at vaccinating adults in Montgomery, we have many young people who aren’t vaccinated, either because they aren’t eligible or haven’t gotten around to it yet,” Carey said. “This Delta variant needs to be taken very seriously, and we need to get every eligible person vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Roughly 90 percent of new cases in New Jersey are caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, she said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its face-covering guidance on July 27, advising vaccinated individuals in areas of substantial or high transmission risk to once again wear masks in indoor public settings, after announcing on May 13 that vaccinated individuals could "resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing."

The State of New Jersey urges residents to return to mask-wearing in crowded indoor settings; settings involving activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated; and indoor settings where the vaccine status of other individuals is unknown.

About half of Montgomery’s newest cases have been among unvaccinated children, Carey said. To get vaccinated, visit the Montgomery Township Health Department vaccination page or the New Jersey vaccine finder page. Montgomery will be offering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at the Municipal Building.

Six vaccine clinics are scheduled for next week in Montgomery, including an August 5 back-to-school clinic with free ice cream and prizes.

August 5 is the last day to start the vaccination process and be fully vaccinated for the first day of school. The Pfizer vaccine requires five weeks from the first dose to full immunity, including 21 days between shots plus 14 days following the second dose.

With school opening September 9 in Montgomery, that means the deadline for a first dose is August 5 for children to be fully protected in time for school.

Walk-ins are welcome at the following clinics, meaning registration is not required. However, folks can click the link for each individual clinic to make an appointment online.

Monday, August 2 – J&J and Moderna vaccines. 5 to 7 pm, Princeton Elks Lodge, 354 Route 518, Skillman.

Tuesday, August 3 – J&J vaccine, 5 to 7 pm, Montgomery Municipal Building, 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead.

Wednesday, August 4 – J&J vaccine, 5 to 7 pm, Montgomery Municipal Building, 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead.

Thursday, August 5 – Back to school clinic with free ice cream, door prizes, and a drawing for Apple airpods. Pfizer vaccine ages 12 and up, 5 to 7 pm, Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Rd., Skillman.

Friday, August 6 – J&J vaccine, 5 to 7 pm,Montgomery Municipal. Building, 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead.

Saturday, August 7 – J&J vaccine, 5 to 7 pm, Montgomery Municipal Building, 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead.