New Jersey received a fourth shipment of protective medical gear from the federal government, which Gov. Phil Murphy said “in no way alleviates” the need the state has.
“In a perfect world, the federal government would give us all the testing material we need, all the personal protective equipment we need,” Murphy said. “From moment one we realized that wasn’t the case.”
About 260,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) was delivered from the Strategic National Stockpile, including masks and gloves needed at hospitals continuing to see the number of cases grow by the day.
Searching for Supplies
Murphy stated he is continuing to seek more supplies, be it from the federal government, soliciting donations from corporations doing business in the state and pursuing direct purchases.
“We need a lot more…and we are looking everywhere,” he said. “I continue to push our case with the White House, with FEMA, and with everyone I speak to.”
Among those corporations offering help is Illinois-based Abbott Labs. The company received federal clearance to distribute a product that can deliver test results in as little as five minutes. Bergen County has been selected as one of the first areas to receive the early test kits, Murphy said.
“It’s a modest first step but it’s an important first step,” Murphy said.
Updated Statistics
As of March 31, the number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey climbed to 18,696 with 2,196 new cases and 69 new deaths, bringing that total to 267.
Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli reported in greater detail the demographics of those who passed, with three people less than 30 years old dying, 12 people between the ages ages of 30-49, 46 people between the ages ages of 50-64, 80 people between the ages ages of 65-79 and 126 people over the age of 80.
While Covid-19 poses the greatest risk to elderly patients and those with underlying health conditions, “this is a reality for all of us,” Murphy said. “This is not abstract, no matter how good our health is, no matter how young we might be,” who noted the passing of 30 year old Cliffside Park baseball coach Ben Luderer, and 33 year old Passaic firefighter Israel Tolentino.
Bergen Total Nears 3,000
Bergen is still the primary hot spot in the state with 2,909 total cases, followed by Essex at 1,900, Hudson at 1,606, Union at 1,418, Passaic at 1,294, Middlesex at 1,277, Monmouth at 1,140, Ocean at 1,022, Morris at 841, Somerset at 413, Mercer at 268, Camden at 228, Burlington at 202, Sussex at 132, Gloucester at 114, Hunterdon at 97, Warren at 76, Atlantic at 31, Cumberland at 18, and Cape May and Salem counties at 12.
Another 3,686 positive tests remain under investigation to determine the location where the person resides. The state has tested more than 45,000 people and 38% have tested positive.
New Protocols
Persichilli announced requirements for the 375 long-term care facilities in the state. New mask and resident isolation requirements were instituted to slow the spread of the coronavirus among that high-risk population after 52 residents have already died in the state
Approximately 81 of those long-term care facilities have at least one resident that has tested positive, a number that has nearly doubled in less than a week. And of the 267 deaths as of March 31, 19% are associated with long-term care facilities, she said.
Staff and anyone entering a long-term care facility and all symptomatic residents will be required to be masked while staff is providing direct care, said Persichilli. Facilitates are required to create separate wings, units or floors to separate people with the virus as well.
Thank you, and please know that Morristown Hospital desperately needs N95 masks, as well as a policy requiring visitors to be masked. Mothers wishing to deliver their babies as well as visitors are arriving from NYC and not required to be masked. They will either give or recieve corona from the now completely inundated hospital. I would hope that the “quick” test could be used on anyone coming to the hospital as patient or guest in order to avoid spread to both patients and staff. Thank you for this consideration.