From Maplewood Township:
Mayor McGehee expressed concern over a rise in Maplewood’s COVID cases during the Township Committee Meeting. According to the mayor, as of July 20, there are 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the township this month.
“This is a significant spike versus our 32 cases in May, and 13 in June,” he remarked. “The main cause is that we are venturing out more, as it is summertime.” Â
Unvaccinated individuals made up a large majority, 80%, of the cases. Mayor McGehee emphasised vaccination as a prevention measure, recommending citizens to “Please get vaccinated…Although some of our cases include vaccinated residents, it doesn’t mean the vaccines don’t work. It means it’s not 100%, so we all have to be mindful.”
Regarding the age demographics of this month’s cases: 26% are under age 12, 4% are between the ages of 12 and 17, and 70% of those who contracted the disease are over 18 years old. This follows a larger pattern in Essex County, where cumulatively adults over 18 have made up about 87% of cases, with a plurality in their 30s and 40s.   Â
 Essex County Public Health Guidelines also recommend washing hands often with soap and water, practicing social distancing, and continuing to stay up to date on COVID in your area.   Â
