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Princeton Newsletter/COVID-19 Update
from Mayor Freda and Princeton Council
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Tuesday, January 12, 2021 |
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Vaccine Distribution Information |
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Information and updates on vaccine distribution change frequently. We will try to provide you with the most up-to-date information in this newsletter. We also post updates on the town website.
Currently we are in vaccine Phase 1A: Healthcare workers. The New Jersey Department of Health will determine when we can transition to Phase 1B vaccinations.
Phase 1B Essential Personnel AND SENIORS Aged 75 and Above
(APPROXIMATE date of clinics: End of January – Early February)
The next priority group to be vaccinated will be seniors aged 75 and older, and frontline essential workers including police, firefighters, first responders, food service workers, teachers, school staff, childcare workers, public transit employees, news and media services workers, and other essential and critical workers.
Actualmente estamos en la fase 1A de vacunas: trabajadores de salud. El Departamento de Salud de Nueva Jersey determinará cuándo las clínicas podrán hacer la transición a la fase de vacunas 1B.
1B Personal Esencial De Emergencia Y Adultos De 75 Años O Mayores
(Fecha APROXIMADA de las clínicas: finales de enero - principios de febrero)
El siguiente grupo de prioridad que se vacunará serán las personas de 75 años o mayores, y los trabajadores esenciales de primera línea; incluyendo, policías, bomberos, socorristas, trabajadores del servicio de alimentos, maestros, personal escolar, trabajadores del cuidado infantil, empleados del transporte público, trabajadores de los servicios de noticias y medios, y otros trabajadores esenciales y críticos.
State of New Jersey Mega Sites:
Six mega sites throughout New Jersey will serve as vaccination hubs for phased priority groups, part of a critical network of over 200 sites tasked with carrying out the state's COVID-19 vaccination plan fairly and equitably. These sites are all expected to open this month:
- Atlantic County: Atlantic City Convention Center
- Bergen County: Racetrack at Meadowlands, East Rutherford
- Burlington County: Moorestown Mall
- Gloucester County: Rowan College of South Jersey, Sewell (opened 1/8/21)
- Middlesex County: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison
- Morris County: Rockaway Townsquare (opened 1/11/21)
Update on Mercer County vaccine distribution site:
Mercer County is working towards opening a site or sites for the continuation of Phase 1A later this month at Mercer County Community College and/or The College of New Jersey.
Next Steps after the Phase 1A:
After the current Phase 1A we will move to Phase 1B (over age 75 and frontline essential workers). After Phase 1B we will move into Phase 1C (other essential workers, adults age 65 and over, and people age 16 - 64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19).
After these phases are complete, the general public will be eligible for vaccination.
More information, including how to register for vaccination, will be released via multiple platforms, including this newsletter, when available.
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Mercer County Health Officers' Association Continues to Distribute Vaccines to Phase 1A
Healthcare workers, caregivers, and members of emergency medical services and police and fire departments have been receiving the first vaccines. Princeton is running two clinics this week, with 500 appointments scheduled. Both clinics are full at this time. Next week, the City of Trenton will be running a clinic for Phase 1A. If individuals falling into Phase 1A would like to receive the vaccine in Mercer County, please register online or email Princeton Health Department. The Princeton Health Department will continue to distribute the vaccine as it is received from the New Jersey Department of Health.
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Mercer County Offering Free COVID-19 Testing |
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Individuals seeking a free at-home test kit should register online. You will be required to provide proof of residency or employment. After your eligibility is verified, you will receive a digital link to Vault’s webpage to request a county-funded test kit. The kit will be shipped overnight with instructions on how to schedule a Zoom telehealth meeting with a certified healthcare worker who will virtually instruct you about how to properly collect a saliva sample for shipment to the Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory for testing. Test results are expected to be returned within 72 hours. If your test is positive, or if you have symptoms, call your health care professional. Any questions can be directed to HomeTesting@mercercounty.org.
Mercer County, in partnership with Vault Health Services, will offer free COVID-19 testing on Tuesday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CURE Insurance Arena, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton. This saliva test is available to Mercer County residents age 14 years or older and anyone employed as a first responder or health care worker in Mercer County. Those going to the arena for testing should use Parking Lot 2 off South Broad Street to access Gate A. Testing will be conducted in the arena concourse. Bring identification showing Mercer County residency and a smartphone or tablet if you have one. No prescription is necessary. Please avoid eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking 30 minutes prior to taking the test.
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Paycheck Protection Program Re-Opening
Issues New Guidance
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make the First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining changes to enhance the program's effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.
This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan
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Changing the Landscape: A Community Discussion About a Sustainable Landscaping Transition |
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Come hear from some of the community organizations that are working together to promote sustainable landscaping in Princeton. Members from the Princeton Environmental Commission, Quiet Princeton, and Sustainable Princeton along with Dan Mabe from the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) will be presenting. Learn about the progress to date and the ways we can move forward as a community to promote racial equity, build community partnerships, and protect people and the environment. Learn more
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The deadline for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program is extended through February 1, 2021.
The Senior Freeze program is designed to "freeze" the burden of increasing real estate taxes for qualified applicants by establishing a base year of eligibility and comparing that base with any subsequent year. The difference is then refunded by the State annually. In order to qualify for the reimbursement, taxpayers must meet all the eligibility requirements for each year from the base year through the current application year. Eligibility must be continuous otherwise a new base year must be established. Learn more
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Mental Health Resources: Help is Available |
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For more information on COVID-19, including testing sites, assistance programs, and opportunities for volunteering, visit PrincetonCovid.org, a community collaboration of Princeton Public Library, the Municipality of Princeton, and Princeton Public Schools.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events |
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Affordable Housing Board, Jan 12, 5:30 PM More info
Board of Health ReOrg, Jan 12, 7:15 PM More info
Corner House Board, Jan 13, 6:00 PM More info
Changing the Landscape: A Community Discussion about Sustainable Landscape Transition, Jan 13, 7:00 PM More info
Municipal Offices are closed Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King's Birthday. Trash and recycling will be collected. Free on-street/metered parking.
**Christmas Tree & brush collection continues through January 29th. Have items at the curb by 7am Monday mornings (Tuesday Jan. 19 as Monday Jan. 18 is a holiday)**
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COVID-19 Case Data Status Report
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Total Positive Cases: 525
Total Hospitalized: 31
Active Positive Cases: 48
36 Positive Cases in Past 7 Days
Highest 7-day total - 39 (12/12-12/18)
60 Cases in Past 14 Days
Highest 14 day total - 66 (12/8-12/21)
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Isolation Completed: 446
Negative Test Results: 6538
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Deaths: 18
Probable COVID Deaths: 13
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Male: 247 Female: 278
Ages: <11: 27; 12 - 17: 25; 18 - 25: 71; 26-35: 65; 36-45: 79;
46-55: 76; 56-65: 63; 66-75: 25; 76-85: 33; > 86: 59
**Stats last updated 1-8-2021**
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We Are All In This Together.
Mayor Mark Freda, Council President Leticia Fraga and Council members David Cohen, Dwaine Williamson, Eve Niedergang, Mia Sacks and Michelle Pirone Lambros
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