New Jersey is moving to its next phase of reopening the state and its economy.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced at his daily briefing June 1 the state is entering Phase 2 of its Road Back plan featuring the opening of outdoor dining, hair salons, indoor retail, gyms and health clubs.
“As we move through Stage One of our strategic restart and recovery process, public health data continues to demonstrate our collective success in flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations,” said Murphy. “It is with these favorable metrics, coupled with expanded testing capacity and contact tracing, that we can responsibly enter Stage Two of our multi-stage approach to recovery.”
Outdoor Dining, Retail Dates
According to the governor, outdoor dining and indoor, non-essential retail will open June 15. The following week, hair salons and barber shops will be able to accept customers at their locations. Dates were not given for gyms and health clubs.
Guidance for the openings were not provided but Murphy expected to have those later in the week.
The first-term Democratic governor noted the steps were being made as important health metrics—including hospitals having bed capacity and increased testing capabilities—were in place.
Health Progress
“We’re ready to begin moving forward,” said Murphy. “We are ready because this progress is being seen across the state. I firmly believe we are going to stay on track.”
But he cautioned despite the state moving forward, residents have to recognize new COVID-19 realities.
“This virus is among us, and saving lives is still priority number one,” said Murphy. “I encourage all New Jerseyans to continue their vigilance in keeping themselves and their communities safe by social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently and limiting gatherings.”
Daily Data
As of June 1, the cumulative number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey reached 160,918 with 509 new cases and 27 new deaths, bringing that total to 11,721.
The governor noted as he does on most Mondays, the numbers may be skewed due to reporting gaps from over the weekend.
Of the total deaths in North Jersey, Essex County has the most with 1,667, followed by Bergen with 1,580, Hudson at 1,182, Passaic at 929, Morris at 616, Sussex at 148 and Warren with 132.
State Testing
The daily rate of infections from those tested as of May 28 rests at 3.5%, the lowest the state has recorded, according to officials. The state is no longer using serology tests as health officials explained those results show a past presence of the disease as well as a current one. By region, the north tested at 3.2%, the central at 3.0% and the south 5.4%.
Officials reported 2,344 patients are hospitalized with coronavirus—which included 36 new hospitalizations—while 160 patients were discharged. The north tier had 1,189 patients hospitalized, the central 612 and the south 543.
The daily discharge and new hospitalizations by tier for June 1 was the north having four hospitalizations and 62 discharges, the central two hospitalizations and 53 discharges, and the south 34 hospitalizations and 45 discharges.
Of those hospitalized, 646 are in intensive care units and 469 on ventilators. There are currently 21 patients in field hospitals, with 471 treated overall.
Hudson Tops County Count
Hudson has the most cumulative cases in the state with 18,428 followed by Bergen at 18,302, Essex at 17,695, Passaic at 16,200, Middlesex at 15,977, Union at 15,858, Ocean at 8,770, Monmouth at 8,249, Mercer at 6,961, Camden at 6,543, Morris at 6,506, Burlington at 4,657, Somerset at 4,595, Cumberland at 2,310, Gloucester at 2,245, Atlantic at 2,222, Warren at 1,165, Sussex at 1,114, Hunterdon at 996, Salem at 639 and Cape May at 623.
Another 869 cases are still under investigation to determine where the person resides.
State officials are tracking cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children, leading to patients testing positive for COVID-19. As of June, the total number of cases was 31 for children ranging in age from 1-18. Of the 31,21 tested positive for COVID-19 and six are currently hospitalized. No deaths have been reported from the disease.
While only a small sample, the State’s Commissioner of Health Judy Persichilli noted the racial breakdown was 23% White, 27% Black, 39% Hispanic, 8% Asian and 4% other.
Demographic Breakdown
The racial breakdown of the record deaths was 53% White, 19% Black, 19% Hispanic, 5% Asian and 3% another race. Murphy has noted the rates in the black and Hispanic communities are running about 50% more than their population in the state.
In regards to the underlying disease of those who have passed, 59% had cardiovascular disease, 43% diabetes, 32% other chronic diseases, 17% neurological conditions, 15% chronic renal disease, 10% cancer and 14% other. Persichilli has stated most cases have multiple underlying conditions which would push the percentage of 100%.
A census of ages for 9,941 confirmed deaths shows 47% of deaths are of those 80 year old and up, 33% in the range of 65-80, 16% between 50-65 and 4% under the age of 49.
Long-term Care Facilities
Health officials noted 544 long-term care facilities are reporting at least one case of COVID-19 and accounted for 33,118 of the cases, broken down between 22,374 residents and 10,774 staff. The state’s official death total will now be reported as those that are lab confirmed, which was 4,952 on June 1. The facilities are reporting to the state of 5,930 residents deaths and 108 staff deaths.
In a by-county breakdown:
Bergen County
- 63 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 3129 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 1573 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 909 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 10 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Essex County
- 46 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 2092 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 956 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 553 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 19 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Morris County
- 42 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1357 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 639 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 456 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 5 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Passaic County
- 25 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1149 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 673 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 353 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 13 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Hudson County
- 15 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 965 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 483 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 211 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 7 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Warren County
- 7 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 402 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 121 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 110 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 1 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Sussex County
- 6 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 249 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 120 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 106 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 4 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
So what you are telling me that of the youth, 8 Hispanics, 6 African Americans, 5 Whites, 2 Asians and 0 Other have died. Why did you need statistics except for your bias. You noted Hudson County as having the second largest numbers but your numbers are accurate just your understanding of numbers is the problem. Bergen has the 2nd largest number.
First of all, thanks for taking the time for reading and commenting on the story. I am assuming the Bergen/Hudson number was about deaths. It was purely an error on my part of not having them in the right order. It has been corrected. Please accept my apology. As for the breakdown of demographics, we have kept track of the breakdown in regards to the COVID-19 cases. The decsiion to include the youth breakdown was just a continuation of that editorial decision. If not for the the COVID-19 demographic breakdown, I would not have included it do to it being such a small sample.
The reason Hudson County is #1 is because Mayor Steve Fulop of Jersey City pushed the testing from day one. He is New Jersey’s leader despite his grandmother dying of the virus and his wife expecting their second child.
Hudson County has the most cases because we tested from the beginning. We are 3rd though in deaths. One reason is we have the least number of long term facilities.
When will the Governor at least mention banquet and wedding venues? No compassion for the brides and grooms that have spent thousands of dollars on the weddings? We all need some hope