Gov. Phil Murphy

Also: The state is dropping graduation assessment tests this year.

Firefighters and police officers, as frontline first responders, become eligible to for vaccination on Thursday, Jan. 7, as the state enters Phase 1B of its tiered plan. Paramedics were included in Phase 1A, and were already eligible for the vaccine. 

Before the month is out, state officials expect to open the rest of their sites, including one at the Racetrack at the Meadowlands, in East Rutherford. Healthcare workers may make an appointment at any of the mega-sites or satellite sites around the state.

Interstate sports competitions are still prohibited, since interstate travel for sports has been deemed to be a risk factor for spreading COVID-19. And attendance is limited to those who are directly involved in the game – players, coaches, referees and support staff – and no more than 10 spectators. 

Officials on Monday reported 2,745 new cases, compared to 2,329 on Dec. 27, bringing the total to 463,965 cases. Some 21 new deaths were reported, compared to 20 the previous day, bringing the total to 16,706. 

It is the first time since June 13 that there have been more than 100 deaths reported on a given day, Gov. Phil Murphy said, and the first time since the end of May that there were two or more consecutive days with more than 100 deaths. 

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the state’s allotment of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines has decreased from 492,075 doses to 392,800: a decrease of 20 percent, or 99,275 vaccines. 

Gov. Phil Murphy said the six mega-sites will be able to provide shots to people in Phase 1A, which includes health care workers and other vulnerable populations, and some in Phase 1B, which includes other essential workers. 

The vaccine by Pfizer received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 11. A second vaccine by Moderna is expected to be approved as well.

Because the Moderna vaccine does not require deep-freeze storage, which the Pfizer vaccine does, more hospitals will be able to carry the Moderna vaccine. New Jersey could receive as many as 154,000 vaccines in Moderna’s first shipment.