COVID-19 and Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program Updates

For those who might have missed it, we share highlights from County Executive Brian Hughes’ January 29^th COVID Update and the February 1^st Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program Update. 

We also repeat need-to-know information about vaccination eligibility, how to get vaccinated and basic safety precautions that you should be following to stay safe. 

Mr. Hughes reports that the vaccination effort in Mercer County has been impeded by the lack of vaccine supply.  He also shared that Mercer County will get 700 more does per week from the state for a total of 1,500 beginning this week.  And, that allotment does not include vaccine that will be received by hospitals, pharmacies, and private clinics. He looks forward to continued improvement in the situation as the Biden Administration continues to prioritize vaccine production and distribution.   

CURE Insurance Arena Vaccination Site.

Mercer County’s mega-site is the CURE Insurance Arena which is being managed by Capital Health.  To get a vaccination at the arena, you must register through the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System at https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/. Vaccinations are by appointment only. You will be notified when an appointment becomes available. To get help with the vaccine scheduling system you can call the New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545.

Who is eligible for vaccination at this time?

As per Governor Murphy’s January 14^th directive, vaccines are now available to the following groups:

• Healthcare Personnel (Phase 1A)
• Long-Term Care Residents and Staff (Phase 1A)
• First Responders (Phase 1B)
• Individuals at High Risk (Phase 1B) including Individuals aged 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus.
• If you don't qualify for a vaccine at this time, register on the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System and they will notify you when the vaccine is available for you.

Full eligibility details are available from Who is eligible for vaccination in New Jersey? Who is included in the vaccination phases? on the NJ State COVID-19 Information Hub.

Testing

Mercer County offers a free at-home saliva test for COVID-19. The saliva test is available to County residents 14 years or older and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker in Mercer County. Details can be found on the COVID-19 Testing page on the County website.

Where, When and How You Can Get Vaccinated

There are generally three ways to get vaccinated if you are eligible:

• You can make an appointment directly with one of the many designated vaccination sites across the state. Click here to view a full list of these designated vaccination sites. Appointments may be limited depending upon vaccine availability.
  
• You can pre-register for the vaccine on the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System. This online portal enables prioritized groups of individuals, and eventually, the general public, to find a vaccination site, pre-register, and schedule an appointment when one is available. Click here to visit the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System.   They will notify you when you can make an appointment. 
  
  You can call 855-568-0545 for help with the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System. This number is an automated system. Live operators will be available in the coming days.
  
• For healthcare employees and volunteers, their facilities, including many hospitals, may offer vaccines directly. If you work at one of the facilities, you can contact your employer to learn if the vaccine is available to you.

Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program Update

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will open pre-registration for Phase 2 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The $10 million program expansion will support New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be capitalized by a U.S. Economic Development Administration Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation.

Any business or entity that intends to apply for a loan must first pre-register on the New Jersey COVID Business Information Portal during the pre-registration period, which will run from 9 a.m. on Feb. 10 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 22.

Only entities that pre-register will then be able to access the program application beginning 9 a.m. on Feb. 24. The order in which final applications are received may affect funding availability.

Read the full text of this announcement.

COVID Data

We again share with you the most recent COVID-19 numbers from our State, County, and local resources.  We strongly encourage all residents to follow the COVID-19 guidelines repeated at the end of this article to navigate these difficult times safely.  

Historic Overview of Ewing COVID-19 Cases from March 18, 2020 - Present

Safety Tips

We remind all residents of the following strategies to help you stay safe:

• Keep Your Distance -- stay at least six feet away from others -- and Wear a Face Covering.
• Wash Your Hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after being in a public place, as well as after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not accessible, use a Hand Sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose and Mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid Close Contact with people who are sick.
• Stay Home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
• Cover Your Mouth and Nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

[1] https://covid19.nj.gov/ with 2/4/2021 morning data

[2] https://mercernj.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6a9746e0df254b7bb56083d827972321     with 2/4/2021 morning data

[3] https://mercernj.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6a9746e0df254b7bb56083d827972321     with 2/4/2021 morning data.  Municipality data is experiencing technical difficulties.

[4] Ewing fatalities as reported by the Ewing Township Health Office