Dear Neighbors 

I am happy to report that, as of the week of 7/5, 81% of our adult population aged 18+, and 80% of our children aged 12+, have been vaccinated against Covid-19 (both age groups with at least one of two doses). This is very encouraging news since vaccination is the best defense against all known strains of the virus at this time. For more information on the importance of getting vaccinated, please visit https://tinyurl.com/dzededdw.

Stay safe!

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

As a clear sign of the waning threat of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the County has discontinued sending out current new positive test results to municipalities. On the other hand, rates of vaccination continue to come in to my office. As of June 7th, 59% of our adult population has been fully vaccinated. Another 12% have had at least one shot. Accordingly, 72% of our adult population has completed or is on the way to being totally vaccinated.

I now receive information on the percentage of our 12-17 year old population that has been vaccinated. As of June 7th, 47% of our children 12-17 years of age have been fully vaccinated and 17% of this age group have had at least one shot. Therefore, 64% of our tweens and teens through age 17 have completed or are on the way to completing their vaccinations against this pandemic.

These are encouraging figures and I thank all of our residents who have made it a priority to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors by getting the Covid-19 vaccination. For those who have not yet been vaccinated, we are working to get more pop-up local vaccination sites in Highland Park.

We continue to offer COVID-19 testing at our Community Center on:
Mondays (10 am – 6 pm)
Tuesdays (10 am – 6 pm)
Wednesdays (10 am – 6 pm)
Fridays (10 am – 6 pm)

Remember, while the new relaxation of mask requirements outdoors is so very welcome, we are not completely out of the woods with this pandemic yet. I urge you to remain cautious and try to maintain some social distance. Our Borough buildings and some private businesses in town still require facemasks and social distancing and I urge you all to respect these individual decisions. Our businesses and restaurants are experiencing a welcome return. Please patronize them.

Thank you.

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

Dear Neighbors

Last week (5/10 – 5/16) Highland Park had 11 new Covid 19 cases reported. Our progress towards controlling this virus in town is good. Our mask wearing, social distancing and vaccinations are paying off. Let’s keep it going!

More of our residents are getting vaccinated. According to data from Middlesex County, 68% of Highland Park’s population aged 18+ have had at least one of their two shot regimens and 51% of us (aged 18+) have completed their required shots. If you would like information on where you may obtain your vaccination, please visit https://tinyurl.com/2ym7s4kz.

Additionally, NJ has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12-16. Let’s get our preteens and teens vaccinated. For more information on that please see https://www.cdc.gov/.../recommendations/adolescents.html.

Remember, our restaurants and downtown businesses are open and ready to serve you under Covid-19 guidelines. Please show them your support and order online or stop by (wearing your mask) to shop.

Thank you

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

Dear Resident, 

Last week, from 3/8 through 3/14, Highland Park had 36 new reported positive Covid-19 cases. This brings our total cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 856. Our numbers have been increasing this month. In fact, since December 2020 our numbers have been going in the wrong direction.

The County has issued a list of vaccines given to residents through 3/9. To date, 26.7% of our population has been vaccinated. We must get that number up!

To assist with that, Middlesex County has just announced that seniors age 65 and older have access to free, dedicated COVID-19 vaccine appointments in NJ. For more information, call the New Jersey Department of Health senior hotline 856-249-7007 (available 8am-8pm) or visit: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine. Rite-Aid of Highland Park is one of the locations providing Covid-19 vaccinations.

If you need assistance getting an appointment for vaccination, please contact our Community Center staff at 732-819-0052.

Also, I am deeply grateful to the band of volunteers, led by Abby Stern Cardinale, who are working around the clock to help eligible residents schedule and receive their vaccinations. This group works closely with our Community Center to make these appointments and, when needed, create travel plans to the vaccination sites.

Residents who are eligible to sign up for this assistance may do so at this website: https://bit.ly/hpvaxhelp

We are still offering free Covid-19 testing at our Community Center on Mondays 10 AM – 4 PM, Wednesdays 12 PM – 4 PM and Fridays 10 AM – 1 PM.

Highland Park is so close to making progress against this virus. PLEASE don’t let us slip backwards in this fight against the pandemic. Continue to wear a mask when you leave your home. Maintain 6’ feet of social distance from others outside your immediate family. Wash your hands often. Get tested for the virus. Get vaccinated.

We can do this Highland Park!

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park

Dear Neighbor 

As of Saturday, 2/28 the total weekly number of new confirmed Covid19 cases in Highland Park is 20. This is the lowest weekly total we have had since November 28, 2020. February’s monthly cases are roughly half of what we had last month and are very close to our numbers in April.

Through 2/28 the County reports 804 total cumulative COVID positive cases in town since the pandemic began. Sadly, Highland Park has one additional Covid-related death that was reported on 2/25. This brings total Covid-19 deaths in town to 16.

So, neighbors, though the decline in the number of our positive cases for February are certainly encouraging, and more and more residents have been able to procure vaccine appointments, we are not out of the woods with this pandemic yet. Please continue to be vigilant against this virus. Wash your hands often. Where a mask when you leave your home. And, of course, stay 6’ socially distant from others, indoors and outdoors.

Finally, today began the first day of free Covid-19 testing in Highland Park. Beginning on Monday, March 1st Ridgewood Diagnostic Lab will be on-site at the Highland Park Community Center (220 So. 6th Avenue) to administer COVID-19 tests on the following days and times:

Mondays, 10 am - 4 pm
Wednesdays, 12 pm - 4 pm
Fridays, 10 am - 1 pm

Stay safe!

Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor
Borough of Highland Park