Judith Persichilli

Hospitalizations keep rising, but new positive cases have been heading downward- Gov. Phil Murphy said it’s too soon to know if this is an actual trend

The Department of Education announces a series of steps to make sure schools are completely open in-person in the fall.

Pop up clinics down the shore, family friendly vaccine events with faith leaders and door knocker teams are trying to encourage everyone to get a COVID vaccine.

Contagious variants coupled with less cautious behaviors are believed to be driving the trend.

The state has adopted new CDC guidance, with more limits for older students, in the continued effort to get more schools back in-person.

Debate over some kind of COVID vaccine passport requirement for shows and concerts is heating up

Gov. Murphy says there are several challenges including less-than-anticipated vaccination supplies, bad weather and the COVID variables “wild card."

Starting Thursday, everyone age 65 and older as well as those with chronic health conditions will be able to make an appointment to get vaccinated anywhere in the state.

Just like the first 400,000+ doses awarded to the state in December, 100% of the early 2021 delivery will be reserved for health care workers and those who live or work at long-term care facilities.

Gov. Phil Murphy and his health commissioner defended against criticism that being late with paperwork cost the state a week vaccinating residents of long-term care facilities.

The state is dispatching hotspot teams to flare-up zones to help with testing, contact tracing isolation and education about the virus