Jimmy Vielkind is reporting on Twitter, following federal guidance, state health officials are immediately pausing the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said Tue., Apr. 13. Appointments for Tuesday at state sites will be honored using other vaccines. In other COVID-19 news, The Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murrell has continued the county's state of emergency implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order remains the same — it requires the implementation of social distancing for any contacts and wearing masks for protection in public, as well as washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or by using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. It also recommends "staying at home when sick, keeping away from others who are sick and staying at home when a household member is sick with respiratory disease symptoms or if instructed to do so by public health officials or a health care provider." The extended Local State of Emergency was effective at noon, Mon., Apr. 12, and will remain in place for 30 days until May 12, unless it is rescinded or modified. Read the full order at columbiacountyny [dot] com.