The Hopewell Township Health Department is reporting a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community.
In the latest Health Department report of COVID-19 cases, 31 new cases had been reported in the two weeks leading up to Nov. 19. On Nov. 8, 19 new cases were reported for the previous two weeks.
“This mirrors the seasonal trend we observed in 2020. An update will soon be available for the period ending Dec. 3 which will include cases from Thanksgiving weekend,” health officer Dawn Marling said.
“Our team remains in the process of completing interviews and contact tracing as those lab reports are received. Vaccine breakthrough rates are not available at the municipal level,” Marling said.
As of Nov. 19, there had been 1,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Hopewell Township since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
“Although breakthrough cases do occur, vaccines continue to reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus and remain highly effective at preventing severe illness for those who are infected,” Marling said.
As of Dec. 7, the state’s data dashboard has Mercer County with 101 confirmed new cases of COVID-19.
According to the 2020 census as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, Mercer County has 387,340 residents; 249,769 county residents are reported to be fully vaccinated and 354,255 county residents are reported to have received at least one vaccine dose.
“Everyone age 5 and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Fully vaccinated residents are encouraged to consider a booster shot, wear masks when social distancing cannot be maintained and to stay home when sick.
“As winter approaches and people gather for holiday celebrations, these steps will help control the spread of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable community members,” Marling said.
