By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday again urged that residents of New Jersey get tested for COVID-19 so contact tracing can track new cases and prevent new flare-ups of the coronavirus.
Just because other states are in the news now with outbreaks of COVID-19, he said, “doesn’t mean that testing is any less important. In fact, as we look to protect our state from a resurgence of COVID-19 because of the national spike, and continue moving forward on our road back, getting tested is perhaps even more important than ever.”
There are 245 locations across New Jersey where people can get tested for the coronavirus. To find one, go online to covid19.nj.gov/testing.
“We have the capacity to meet demand,” the governor said at his COVID-19 briefing, showing a chart indicating the state is averaging 22,000 tests a day since June 28, with a low of 11,000 on July 6 and a high of 38,000 on Friday, July 10.
He said an analysis by The New York Times shows New Jersey is one of only 12 states meeting its testing targets.
Testing remains prioritized with vulnerable populations at the top of the list – demographics at high risk of infection or mortality and their caretakers. After that is the frontline population – individuals at the forefront of the pandemic who have a higher risk of infection and transmission. After that comes the general population, residents who suspect infection or prolonged exposure to the coronavirus.
“Regardless of your situation, we have the capacity,” he added. Testing is important to add to the state’s data pool so decisions can be made on decisions that impact the entire state.
He said if residents have been in a hot spot state, they should get tested and self-quarantine even if asymptomatic.
New totals
New Jersey’s COVID-19 cases totaled 175,522 as of Monday, July 13, with 231 new cases reported. There were higher case totals over the weekend.
The daily positivity rate dropped to 1.51 percent, the lowest it has been in a week, and the rate of transmission has
dropped to 0.91 percent. It had climbed above 1.0 percent the week before, meaning at least one person was infected for each new case reported. The rate had been as low as 0.70 percent in mid-June.
“It means, please God, if we can keep it there, a slowing of the spread,” Murphy said.
Independent researchers at covidactnow.org rated New Jersey as one of only three states – including Vermont and New Hampshire – to be “on track to contain COVID-19.”
That rating, Murphy said, was helped by the state’s ability to lower the rate of transmission.
New Jersey had fewer than 100 individuals on ventilators for the fourth day in a row on Monday and under 900 hospitalized for COVID-19. New hospitalizations are down 96 percent since the peak of cases.
“You see what’s happening in the rest of the country right now,” he said. “It is eerily reminiscent of what we and New York had gone through.”
Protest
The governor said he keeps hearing the voices who look at the hospital numbers and question why the rest of the state’s economy can’t be opened.
The governor noted as pressure continues to open the state economy more, there was a protest at his house. He marveled at the fact it was a “burn your mask” protest.
“I’m not sure what the thinking was behind that,” he said, “but I would remind the folks who think we should open everything right now that we just reported an additional 231 positive cases and we still rank in the top 20 nationally in the number of residents per capita in the hospital. We’re still in the top three in the number of people who are passing.
“I’m not going to willfully trade away the life … of even one New Jerseyan.”
Earlier in his press conference he issued a reminder: “We cannot forget that it was only a few short months ago that we were being slammed full force by new coronavirus cases. This is just one reason why we are requiring everyone to wear face masks at all times while indoors and outdoors when social distancing is impossible.”
He said if the state changes course too soon the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths will rise. He acknowledged trying to save lives has come at an “enormous” cost to the economy.
The governor said the state will work to help those businesses hurt by the pandemic, but he won’t put the economic health of the state before public health.
“Public health creates economic health,” he said, using his familiar governing philosophy during the pandemic. “We will do everything we can to find the money to stand with you but we can’t do that at the expense of losing lives.”
With that, he said the state lost another 22 residents to COVID-19, bringing the total deaths from the coronavirus in the state to 13,613 with another 1,947 “probable” COVID-19 deaths.
Younger people at risk
State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli emphasized “to our young people that they are not invincible or immune to COVID-19.
“In fact, young adults in New Jersey are the fastest-growing group of individuals who are testing positive for the virus,” she said, adding that parties are leading to an uptick in cases.
New Jersey has seen an increase in cases in individuals from 18 to 29 years old. In April, that age group represented 12 percent of those testing positive. That has risen to 22 percent of cases, Persichilli said. There are nearly 24,000 positive COVID-19 cases in the state in that age group. There were more than 730 residents in that age group hospitalized and 53 died.
People at any age can get COVID-19, she said, urging all age groups to take precautions.
“It is vital that young people understand they are part of the solution to the slowing of the transmission of COVID-19.”
Next week the state is launching a public awareness campaign about COVID-19 and it also will target young people and vulnerable populations. It will urge people to get tested and to take contact-tracing calls.
As national cases have risen along with more testing, results from tests are taking longer in New Jersey, now at about five days when it had been two to four days.
Executive Orders
On Monday, Murphy issued two executive orders. One lifts 50 percent capacity limits on NJ Transit and private carrier buses, trains, light rail and Access Link, effective 8 p.m. today (Wednesday).
The governor said as the economy reopens there is increased ridership.
“We want to ensure that people are able to get to their jobs and the system continues operating as efficiently as possible,” he said.
Face coverings are required for riders and employees on all NJ Transit and private-carrier vehicles and in all indoor stations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Also at outdoor stations where social distancing is not possible.
“If a transit employee asks you to mask up, they’re doing their jobs,” he said. “Please be respectful to them and your fellow passengers.”
The governor noted that he did not want people to believe ridership is “blasting through” the 50 percent mark, but that the state anticipates that at least at rush hour that will be a reality.
The second order the governor signed suspended the requirement that municipal and county political parties had to hold their reorganizational meetings Monday or Tuesday, moving them to July 27 and 28. Any upcoming scheduled elections between now and Nov. 3 – including special elections – are moved to the Nov. 3 general elections.
File Taxes
Today, July 15, is the state tax filing deadline, the same as the postponed federal tax filing deadline.
Beach overcrowding
Because fewer people are traveling out of state to vacation, Murphy said, “We have a lot more folks staying home and going to the shore or going to our lakes. We’ve got a demand unlike any time we’ve ever had.”
There have been cases of overcrowding, he said.
The state is working with shore counties and communities on capacity management, some by limiting the amount of parking, others by limiting the amount of beach tags sold.
Indoor dining
Murphy said the spike in other parts of the country makes him nervous about opening up indoor dining in restaurants. “We can plead to personal responsibility … but there’s only so much we can do,” he said.
He added evidence is overwhelming that much of the spike is due to indoor activity, but he did not disclose specific metrics for the state to reach before indoor dining is allowed.