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COVID-19 cases in Montgomery and Rocky Hill reach highest level in 12 weeks

Weekly COVID-19 cases for Montgomery and Rocky Hill reached their highest level in 12 weeks this week, with 20 cases since last Friday. The sharp rise coincides with the dominance of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. About half of the new cases in Montgomery have been among unvaccinated children.

“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,” said Montgomery Township Health Officer Stephanie Carey. “This Delta variant needs to be taken very seriously, and we need to get every eligible person vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The CDC and the state are urging residents to wear masks in crowded indoor settings, indoor settings involving activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated, indoor settings where the vaccine status of others is unknown, and situations where a person is immunocompromised or at an increased risk for complications fro COVID-19.

Six vaccine clinics are scheduled for next week in Montgomery, including an Aug. 5 back-to-school clinic with free ice cream and prizes. Aug. 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 Sept. 9 in Montgomery, that means the deadline for a first dose is Aug. 5 for children to be fully protected in time for school.

Walk-ins are welcome. Registration is not required, but you can click the link for each individual clinic to make an appointment online.

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

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

Wednesday, August 4 – J&J vaccine, 5 to 7 p.m., 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 p.m., Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Rd., Skillman.

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

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