Attention NJCU Community:

In our ongoing commitment to timely and open communications, the purpose of this weekly update is to provide continual information on cases within our community and pertinent news to our campus — while also distributing important updates from the city, county, state and federal governments — and helpful guidelines. This week, we include a video produced by NJCU Communications discussing how COVID-19 vaccines work and the similarities and differences between difference vaccines. Additionally, we offer nutritional advice upon recommendations from the World Health Organization. Have a happy and safe Valentine's Day with those you love.

As of February 12, 2021, there have been 167 total positive cases within the NJCU community since September 1, including six (6) additional cases in the last week. Documentation of reported cases are update regularly and can be found on NJCU’s COVID-19 website dashboard. Later this month, the dashboard will be expanded to include daily case updates.

Learn more about COVID-19 Surveillance Testing at NJCU or signup for an appointment.

Click on this link to review NJCU’s procedure for reporting cases which was developed with direct guidance from the health department. 

What does it really mean to be a close contact? Currently, the CDC and the State of New Jersey define what constitutes being a close contact, with the state guidelines being the stricter of the two set of standards. Therefore, NJCU is following the guidance set force by the state. Click on each link in this section for additional information on the criteria.

NJCU has partnered with Diligent Urgent Care to provide COVID screenings, testing, and education for our NJCU campus. To schedule your Telemed visit: Click Here.

Should you have any questions or need assistance, please email telemedicine@diligenturgentcare.org or call 201-834-8887.

Please visit our NJCU COVID website for more information, including answers to FAQ’s (frequently asked questions).

Successfully dealing with the pandemic requires the shared responsibility of each and every one of us. For more information, please visit the NJCU COVID-19 responsibility statement.

Please use the COVID Concern Report to alert the COVID response team of a possible infection or any concerns regarding the utilization of our established safety protocols.      

To learn more about our safety precautions and all plans for a safe return to teaching, learning, living, and working, please visit njcu.edu/safecampus.

The World Health Organization offers the following nutritional advice for adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the infographic we include in this week's update.

In this video produced by NJCU University Communications in conjunction with our campus contact tracer, we review how COVID-19 vaccines work and the similarities and differences between difference vaccines, while providing important background information on vaccines.

The State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health, has launched a website for residents of the state to signup to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in hospitals and clinics across New Jersey. To reserve your spot on the vaccine list and determine your eligibility, please pre-register by visiting the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS).

Earlier this week, the State of New Jersey launched a COVID-19 vaccination call center for residents without a computer to make an appointment to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Live agents will staff the center — which can be reached at 855-568-0545.

Additionally, a list of vaccination facilities is available online on the state's COVID-19 information hub, which gives the phone numbers and websites to signup at each location. Smartphone users can use the portal above to register, or they can go directly to a facility’s website. 

Last week, the state announced the loosening of indoor capacity restrictions for some activities. Effective Friday, February 5, indoor capacity limits, currently set at 25%, will be raised to 35% for religious and political activities — including wedding ceremonies, memorial services or funerals — for entertainment centers where performances are viewed or given, and for addiction support groups. However, the maximum capacity is no more than 150 individuals, regardless of venue size. More information on the updated limits can be viewed on the state's COVID-19 Information Hub.

Additionally, Governor Murphy has also announced that the statewide requirement that all bars and restaurants end indoor service as of 10 p.m. has been lifted. On February 12, effective immediately, the Governor also issued an executive order permitting up to two parents to attend their children's school sporting events. Full details are available on the state's website.

Mayor Fulop recently announced that the City of Jersey City is one of the few cities in the state setting up multiple, city-sponsored vaccine PODs, to ensure that residents have easy access to getting the vaccine. There will be six (6) PODs company to set up 6 PODs — one in each ward. Additional announcements regarding the PODs will be announced in the coming weeks and that information will be shared with the NJCU community.

As the City of Jersey City distributes vaccines and eligibility increases, we are the only city in the state that has set up a free ride structure through a partnership with Uber. This will make it easier for thousands of people in transit deserts to get the vaccine, and a fine example of the private sector working with government to overcome challenges to help our communities.

The City of Jersey City has also announced local rent and utility relief programs. This program will allocate money to four of the largest nonprofits in Jersey City — York Street Project, WomenRising, United Way and PACO — to assist with administering local programs. The City will also provide grants to two organizations — Welcome Home and Church World — with a strong track record of providing rental/utility assistance to vulnerable immigrants with a focus on those who may be ineligible for federal funding. The program will provide one-time (up to $1500 per household) emergency grant rental/utility payments on behalf of an individual or family household for the purpose of preventing homelessness. Eligible households are at 80% AMI or below and the subsidy will be paid directly to the tenant’s landlord or utility/service provider in exchange for an agreement to hold off on eviction/court proceedings. The grant will cover arrears incurred from March 1-December 31, 2020. To apply or gain more information, click here.

While the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to review and offer revised recommendations for quarantine standards, the quarantine expectations for the NJCU community have not changed. 

The CDC still recommends a quarantine period of 14 days. Dependent upon local circumstances and resources the CDC does offers two shorter but less effective options — a non-testing option that can end after Day 10 if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring and a testing option that can end after Day 7 if one tests negative and exhibits no symptoms. 

Regardless, for the safety of our university community, in both cases at NJCU symptom monitoring and facial coverings must continue through Day 14. If you believe you been exposed to COVID-19, please isolate immediately and contact your primary care physician. Those who are deemed to be in close contact will need to isolate between 7-14 days depending on the outcome of test results and symptoms.

For more information, read this CDC update.

Authorities are warning of a wave of scams that use bogus claims of offering coronavirus vaccines and COVID-19 stimulus payments to swindle unsuspecting victims. In some of the scams targeting senior citizens, con artists promise early access to the coronavirus vaccine in return for money. Additionally, fraudulent text messages that ask taxpayers to send bank account information to receive a $600 stimulus payment and phishing emails that use COVID-19, stimulus and related keywords to trick people into providing the information were among some of the cons being reported. Read the full story from NJ.com and protect yourself from scammers.

Photos courtesy of AdWeek and Getty Images