NJ COVID-19 Updates and More

Need help with your rent? The State Rental Assistance Program is accepting pre-applications for the rental assistance waitlist through July 25th at 5 p.m. The program provides housing subsidies on behalf of very low-income New Jersey residents for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. 4,000 eligible households will be selected through a lottery system and placed on a waiting list to be eligible to receive vouchers as they become available.

The monkeypox vaccine is now available to all New Jerseyans who are at high risk of being exposed to the virus:

• Individuals who have had known exposure to someone with monkeypox within the past 14 days,
• Individuals that attended an event where known monkeypox exposure occurred within the past 14 days, and
• Individuals that identify as gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men, transgender, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary who have a history of multiple or anonymous sex partners within the past 14 days.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that can affect anyone. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and rash. Monkeypox does not easily spread to people without close contact. There are currently 62 probable and confirmed cases in New Jersey. 

Anyone with a known contact with someone who tested positive for monkeypox within the past 14 days should contact their health care provider or local health department regarding testing and vaccine eligibility. Local health departments will continue to conduct contact tracing and offer the vaccine to anyone identified as a close contact.

For those without a confirmed exposure who believe they may have been exposed or are at high risk for having been exposed to monkeypox, the vaccine is now available through three community partners via appointment only:

• Hyacinth AIDS Foundation/Project Living Out Loud!, Jersey City: 201-706-3480
• The Prevention Resource Network, a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Asbury Park: 732-502-5100
• North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI), Newark: 973-483-3444, ext. 200

988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to be connected to trained crisis counselors who will listen to your concerns, provide support, and get you additional help if needed.

New Jersey is experiencing extreme hot and humid conditions that will continue through the weekend.

• Stay properly hydrated
• Limit outdoor activities
• Stay in an air-conditioned place
• Check in on elderly relatives and neighbors
• Keep pets inside
• Find cooling centers online or by calling 211

New Jersey is developing an Action Plan for how it will use federal recovery funds to create recovery and mitigation programs to help individuals and communities. We are looking for feedback from homeowners and renters whom Ida impacted.

Homeowners in areas impacted by Hurricane Ida are urged to complete a survey about what they need to recover from Ida and to better protect their homes and communities from future storms. The survey is not an application but is required for residents who want to apply for future recovery programs.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise and it is important that you continue to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19:

• Get vaccinated and boosted
• Get tested
• Be vigilant around the elderly and immunocompromised
• Wash hands frequently
• Stay home when sick
• Learn your treatment options
• Use common sense