NJ Spotlight News: January 25, 2021

New Jersey-based drug maker Merck shuts down development of its two COVID-19 vaccines due to poor trial results. Another homegrown vaccine maker, Johnson & Johnson, just might be mere weeks away from FDA emergency use authorization. Monday New Jersey health officials reported 3,694 new coronavirus cases for a cumulative total of 598,660. An additional 21 COVID-19 deaths raises the total to 20,972 confirmed and probable fatalities. Hospitalizations stand at 3,254. The state dashboard shows 565,401 total COVID-19 vaccines have been given. The state launched a new vaccine hotline -- (855) 568-0545 -- intended to help residents, especially seniors, who struggle with going online. It will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: http://bit.ly/1ERsYqw For full episodes, check out www.njspotlightnews.org Facebook:   / njspotlightnews   Twitter:   / njspotlightnews   Instagram:   / njtvnewsroom   ----------------- While NJTV does not and cannot review every submission and is not responsible for the content of your comments, NJ Spotlight News reserves the right to delete, remove, move, or edit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise illegal or unacceptable for any reason.  ----------------- NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJTV that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: https://bit.ly/32zwJDT NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJTV.