Governor talks about south Jersey’s rise in cases, parks reopening, thanks Ocean City duo
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel and Star and Wave
Atlantic County has the fastest doubling rate of COVID-19 cases among New Jersey counties, with cases doubling every eight days, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
Cumberland County’s rate is 10 days and Salem and Gloucester County are at 14 days.
Cape May County’s doubling rate is at 18 days.
In many of the hardest hit northern counties where the vast majority of cases and deaths have taken place since the pandemic began, the rate of doubling is around 30 days.
“The counties that have the least amount of days to double are in the south,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday afternoon, May 1, at his daily press conference.
He pointed out the south Jersey counties “have meaningful cases, but much fewer cases that the northern counties.” Secondly, he added, the virus is migrating.
North Jersey and central Jersey are continuing to see a downward trend in hospitalizations, but south Jersey is “up a bit but has seen a relative leveling in the past five days.”
When showing the graphs at his presentation, he said to note they weren’t equal in that there were some 3,500 hospitalizations in the north, about 1,725 in the central part of the state and under a thousand in south Jersey.
On Friday, the death toll stood at 7,538 in the state. There are now 121,190 COVID-19 cases.
Parks are a test
When he pointed out that there are more patients being discharged from hospitals than being admitted, he said with 532 new hospitalizations, “I want to open this place up as fast as anybody, but we have to keep in mind there are still a lot of people in hospitals and going into hospitals. The numbers are better, but they’re not zero.”
That is why he said the opening of golf courses and parks over the weekend would be “a huge test for all of us on whether or not we stay on this trajectory.”
Murphy said the state would be closely monitoring action over the entire weekend.
He said if the behavior is repeated from the first weekend of April, when a bunch of “knuckleheads” ignored social distancing orders, the relaxation of the order will be rescinded.
“I don’t want to have to close those parks again,” he said.
Heed the social distancing guidelines, the governor urged.
Renter help
Now, on May 1, renters can have their security deposit used to cover rent in either part or in full. Renters also can’t be threatened with eviction or be evicted. “No one should fear losing their home,” Murphy said.
Shout-out to O.C. duo
During his conference, Murphy gave a public thank you to Ocean City’s Brooklyn Sherrill and Sam Halseth.
“They own a digital marketing firm called ShoreView Creative, but they’re taking their creativity in new directions by organizing an E-bay auction of one-of-a-kind, custom-painted sneakers and all proceeds will go to the COVID-19 solidarity response fund for the World Health Organization (WHO).
“By the way,” the governor said, “neither Brooklyn nor Sam are native New Jerseyans. They moved here two years ago, each of them with their families from Minnesota, but they are now full-fledged members of our New Jersey family.
“To each of them, New Jersey thanks you.”
More test kits
On Thursday, Murphy reported on his positive meeting with President Donald Trump. He said the federal government is providing the state with 550,000 COVID-19 test kits and 750,000 swabs.
State Police
State Police Superintendent Pat Callahan warned about bail scams targeted at senior citizens, who are told a relative is in jail and needs bail. Callahan warned people not to send or wire money for bail.
Education
The governor said he hoped he would be able to provide guidance Monday, May 4, on how much longer schools would remain closed and students would take part in remote learning. For now, schools are closed until Friday, May 15. New York State has decided to keep schools closed for the rest of the school year.
Beaches
“Beaches are a local decision,” Murphy said. So far, Wildwood and Lower Township have opened their beaches in Cape May County, but are continuing social distancing requirements and allowing the use of beaches for walking and running, but not sitting or picnicking or group activities.