New Jersey ranks as one of the top states in the nation with the ability to contain COVID-19, according to a non-profit made up of healthcare professionals.
CovidActNow, comprised of technologists, epidemiologists, health experts and public policy leaders, states on its website that “cases are steadily decreasing and New Jersey’s COVID preparedness meets or exceeds international standards.” Only New York and Michigan meet the standards set forth.
The metrics CovidActNow use are if cases are increasing or decreasing, widespread testing capabilities, hospital readiness and contact tracing.
Low Infection Rate
The group found that on average, each person in New Jersey with COVID-19 is infecting 0.82 other people. As a result, the total number of current cases in New Jersey is shrinking.
The state’s capabilities for testing and contacting tracing allowed the nonprofit to state any significant flare up would not cause New Jersey officials to put back in place a stay-at-home order. With the positive COVID-19 test rate currently registering at 1.6%, the nonprofit believes the percentage suggests enough widespread testing is available in New Jersey to detect and isolate new cases to help contain the coronavirus without resorting to lockdowns.
The healthcare professional estimated New Jersey has 2,500 contact tracers, more than the 1,665 contact tracing staff needed to trace all new cases in 48 hours, before infection becomes widespread.
Phased Openings Recommended
In regards to hospital capacity, New Jersey has about 36% of its nearly 1,900 ICU beds currently occupied by non-COVID patients. With about 1,200 ICU beds remaining, the healthcare professional estimates 300 are needed for COVID-19 cases, or 25% of available beds, enough capacity to absorb a wave of new COVID infections.
CovidActNow concluded that if current trends and interventions continue, New Jersey hospitals are unlikely to become overloaded in the next 30 days. However, reopening plans should continue in a slow and phased fashion.
The state is currently in its second phase of reopening, with personal service businesses such as hair salons, nail salons, barbershops and tattoo parlors opening June 22. Additionally, community pools and organized sports are allowed to resume on that day.
Daily Data
As of June 21, the cumulative number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey reached 169,142 with 411 new cases and 17 new deaths, bringing that total to 12,870.
Of the total deaths in North Jersey, Essex County has the most with 1,760, followed by Bergen at 1,696, Hudson with 1,262, Passaic at 1,014, Morris at 641, Sussex at 152 and Warren with 142.
State Testing
Officials reported 1,105 patients are hospitalized with coronavirus while 129 patients were discharged. The north tier had 482 patients hospitalized, the central 361 and the south 262.
Of those hospitalized, 278 are in intensive care units and 219 on ventilators. There are currently 15 patients in field hospitals, with 491 treated overall.
Bergen Tops County Count
Bergen has the most cumulative cases in the state with 19,010, followed by Hudson at 18,744, Essex at 18,551, Passaic at 16,769, Middlesex at 16,605, Union at 16,322, Ocean at 9,425, Monmouth at 8,942, Mercer at 7,541, Camden at 7,135, Morris at 6,699, Burlington at 5,023, Somerset at 4,813, Cumberland at 2,847, Atlantic at 2,702, Gloucester at 2,467, Warren at 1,216, Sussex at 1,176, Hunterdon at 1,054, Salem at 750 and Cape May at 688.
Another 710 cases are still under investigation to determine where the person resides.
Demographic Breakdown
The racial breakdown of the record deaths was 54% White, 20% Hispanic, 18% Black, 6% Asian and 2% another race. Gov. Phil 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, 56% had cardiovascular disease, 45% diabetes, 31% other chronic diseases, 18% neurological conditions, 17% lung diseases, 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 556 long-term care facilities are reporting at least one case of COVID-19 and accounted for 35,914 of the cases, broken down between 23,774 residents and 12,140 staff. The state’s official death total will now be reported as those that are lab confirmed, 6,180 on June 21. The facilities are reporting to the state 6,395 residents deaths and 117 staff deaths.
In a by-county breakdown:
Bergen County
- 63 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 3257 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 1707 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 915 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 11 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Essex County
- 46 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 2170 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 1021 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 566 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 20 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Morris County
- 42 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1404 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 701 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 467 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 3 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Passaic County
- 25 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1266 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 769 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 376 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 15 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Hudson County
- 15 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 998 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 542 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 248 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 8 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Sussex County
- 7 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 259 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 147 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 107 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 4 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Warren County
- 7 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 407 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 135 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 117 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 1 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Check out all the top three. No coincidence: All Three have Democratic governors. This is what we need: blue all the way. Every election, every level, every office, every time. No Republicans ever. The GOP should just die off.