New Jersey coronavirus update: NJ father and daughter, both doctors at same hospital, receive second COVID shot

Coronavirus Update New Jersey

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

NJ extends public health emergency for another 30 days

Anthony Johnson has more on New Jersey's vaccination efforts including a father and daughter, who are both doctors, who received their second dose of the vaccine.

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- A father and daughter, both doctors at the same New Jersey hospital, received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine one right after the other.

Dr. Kara Chenitz and Dr. William Chenitz work as a team at St. Michaels Hospital in Newark.

The head of the hospital is proud of his staff's performance during the pandemic and in stepping up to take the COVID shot, but the main issue is getting enough of the vaccine.

Since the start of 2021, the state has received 106,000 doses each week, but state officials say a slightly bigger supply comes next week.

With more available vaccine, the hope is teachers will soon be immunized. Most schools in the state are operating online or a hybrid learning system, but the feeling is that will change when the vaccine is widely available.

The governor also says he sees a glimmer of hope by the beginning of summer.

On Tuesday, Governor Phil Murphy extended the public health emergency in New Jersey for another 30 days.

Governor Phil Murphy also reported 388,160 vaccinations statewide as of Tuesday morning.

"Unless extended, these emergencies expire after 30 days," he said. "Given where we are currently, we must remain in a proper footing to continue responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic."

The state reported 388,160 vaccinations statewide as of Tuesday morning.

"We've significantly improved our standings in the rankings among our sister states in both total vaccinations and vaccinations per capita," Murphy said. "All that we're missing are the vaccine doses we need. With the incoming Joe Biden administration taking office tomorrow, and a new federal focus on pushing vaccines out at a greater pace, we're hopeful that we'll be able to start ramping up our in-state capabilities."

The governor said New Jersey has built the capacity for an aggressive vaccination push, with four mega-sites open and two more coming online soon.

As far as county-run and community-based sites, 130 are open and 100 to come online soon.

"We continue to push forward with the approximately 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses we're receiving on a weekly basis," Murphy said. "Our pharmacy partners in the federal vaccination program continue to move through the state providing vaccinations to some of our highest-risk populations."

Murphy also confirmed 3,761 new positive PCR tests and an additional 54 coronavirus deaths Tuesday.

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