By Donald Gilpin

On Tuesday, June 1, the Princeton Health Department reported just two new cases of COVID-19 in Princeton in the previous 14 days, and the state of New Jersey announced the lowest number of new cases since March 17, 2020 during the early weeks of the pandemic.

Princeton Health Officer Jeff Grosser, sounding increasingly optimistic though still cautious and unwilling yet to suggest that we’re getting back to normal, noted, “We are continuing to see regional COVID cases trending downward, which is what we want to continue to see.”

He discussed the changing protocols and practices of mask-wearing, in the wake of last Friday’s lifting of state mask mandates.  “Last week we certainly had our fair share of inquiries on how to comprehend the lifting of mask-wearing restrictions,” said Grosser.  “We have observed that many businesses are still leaning towards mask-wearing of workers and customers for the time being. We are supportive of this endeavor since it continues to protect our residents.”

He continued, “With that said, we understand that as more individuals become vaccinated, there will likely be less of a need to mask, especially as we enter the summer months when we typically see fewer respiratory illnesses.”

In addition to lifting the mask mandate on May 28, the state removed social distancing requirements, though unvaccinated people are still strongly encouraged to wear masks, and businesses can still require masks and social distancing.

As of Friday, June 4, limits will be lifted on indoor gatherings, allowing full-capacity indoor concerts and sporting events.

The Princeton Health Department will be holding its last second-dose clinic at the Princeton Senior Center on Thursday, June 3, which Grosser called “a milestone in Princeton’s centralized vaccination
effort.”

The health department continues to hold pop-up vaccination clinics at various locations in the community. Nearly 50 individuals, contacted through word of mouth and outreach efforts by community partners, were vaccinated last week at a pop-up site in collaboration with Lupita Grocery Store on Leigh Avenue.

Grosser emphasized the importance of carefully planning the locations and
times for clinics in order to serve residents who are unable to take time off from work or who face family hardships with child care or adult care. 

The Princeton Health Department has also initiated a Mobile Vaccination Program, allowing interested businesses, community organizations, or places of worship to host health department staff on location during a time of their choice.  Email jgrosser@princetonnj.gov for details.

Princeton University is continuing to host a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics that are open to the public, including 12-15 year olds. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered in clinics at Jadwin Gymnasium on campus on Wednesday, June 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, June 4, 12 to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, June 8, 2 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, June 9, 2 to 7 p.m.; and Friday, June 11, 12 to 5 p.m. Limited walk-ups are possible, but interested individuals should register with New Jersey’s Vaccine Scheduling System at covidvaccine.nj.gov to secure an appointment.

Mercer County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit will be offering vaccinations on Wednesday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 640 South Broad Street in the parking lot across from the County Administration Building and on Friday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 930 Spruce Street, Lawrence, in the parking lot next door to the Trenton Farmers Market. Capital Health staff will administer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to individuals 18 and older with registration in the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System encouraged but not required.

Additional County vaccination sites, with appointments not required, include the CURE Insurance Arena, 81 Hamilton Avenue in Trenton, in partnership with Capital Health on Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Mercer County Park Skating Center in West Windsor, in partnership with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, on Thursday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

About 56 percent of the state’s adults have been fully vaccinated so far, and more than 232,000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 have also been vaccinated in New Jersey.  More than 4 million people who live, work, or study in New Jersey have now been fully vaccinated at New Jersey sites.

Grosser pointed out that vaccines can help protect the population against variants that have been seen around the world. Variants have been most prominent in countries with lower vaccination rates. “It does demonstrate the importance of global public health,” he said, “and how until all countries see high vaccine uptake, the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to smolder.”