New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed three executive orders, including the return of the flag to full staff in time for the July 4th holiday.
“For the past 90 days, our flags have been at half-staff for every New Jerseyan we’ve lost to COVID-19,” said Murphy at his daily press briefing July 2. “As we begin our commemorations of our nation’s birth, and as a sign of rebirth for our state, as we keep moving down our road back, our flags will return to full-staff.”
While the flag will be returned to full staff, Murphy noted the fight and the remembrance of those whose lives were lost during the pandemic will continue.
Time is Right
“This is not a moment of triumph, this is not a moment of closure, it is an acknowledgement that the time is right,” said Murphy. “We will keep fighting until every indicator we track reads zero. And we will dedicate our efforts to every life that has been lost.”
The two other executive orders authorized the lifting of outdoor gathering limits to 500 and the extension of the public health emergency for another month.
The outdoor limit increase to 500 from 250 was not unexpected, as officials had stated the increase of the limit would coincide with outdoor high school graduations set to begin July 6.
Outdoor Increase
“We first signaled this eventuality back on June 9, and we are comfortable at this time to keep to the timetable we set,” Murphy. “On Monday, when outdoor graduation ceremonies are slated to begin, schools will be able to accommodate them.”
The first-term Democratic governor said he wants those attending graduation ceremonies—and those out for the holiday weekend—to wear face coverings and practice social distancing in efforts to contain the coronavirus .
Activities previously exempted under the order due to First Amendment rights, including protests and religious gatherings, will continue to have no outdoor limits.
Public Health Extension
The extension of the public-health emergency for the coronavirus the governor declared in New Jersey is due to the statue limiting the declaration for 30 days at a time.
“What today’s action means is that we will have the authority to remain vigilant and prepared to act should there be a new outbreak of COVID-19,” Murphy said.
The move keeps in place the governor’s executive orders, including a ban on indoor dining at bars and restaurants as well as the closure of gyms and indoor activities such as movie theaters.
Daily Data
As of July 2, the cumulative number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey reached 172,536 with 539 new cases and 27 new deaths, bringing that total to 13,251. The state is reporting an additional 1,854 deaths as probably, bringing the overall total to 15,105.
Of the total confirmed deaths in North Jersey, Essex County has the most with 1,789, followed by Bergen at 1,733, Hudson with 1,287, Passaic at 1,040, Morris at 654, Sussex at 157 and Warren with 149.
In regards to probable deaths, Bergen has 263, Essex has 237, Hudson has 171, Passaic has 148, Morris has 146, Sussex has 37 and Warren has 11.
State Testing
The daily rate of infections from those tested as of June 28 rose from the previous day to 3.0%. 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 3.0%, the central at 2.8% and the south 23.1%.
The rate of transmission was reported at 0.87, up from the day before. Murphy has noted that while the rate was still below 1.0, he was concerned it was rising from its .70 rate when the state began to reopen.
Officials reported 1,027 patients are hospitalized with coronavirus—which included 51 new hospitalizations—while 83 patients were discharged. The north tier had 482 patients hospitalized, the central 292 and the south 170.
The daily discharge and new hospitalizations by tier for July 2 was the north charting 19 hospitalizations and 34 discharges, the central having 21 hospitalizations and 31 discharges, and the south reporting 11 hospitalizations and 18 discharges.
Of those hospitalized, 216 are in intensive care units and 170 on ventilators.
Bergen Tops County Count
Bergen has the most cumulative cases in the state with 19,474, followed by Hudson at 18,874, Essex at 18,804, Passaic at 16,920, Middlesex at 16,852, Union at 16,394, Ocean at 9,631, Monmouth at 9,211, Mercer at 7,693, Camden at 7,406, Morris at 6,777, Burlington at 5,221, Somerset at 4,912, Cumberland at 2,991, Atlantic at 2,898, Gloucester at 2,610, Warren at 1,243, Sussex at 1,198, Hunterdon at 1,083, Salem at 779 and Cape May at 713.
Another 672 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. 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. Health Commission Judith Persichilli has stated most cases have multiple underlying conditions which would push the percentage of 100%.
A census of ages for 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 5% under the age of 49.
State officials are tracking cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children who in turn test positive for COVID-19. Three news cases were reported July 2, bringing the total to 51 for children ranging in age from 1-18. All have tested positive for COVID-19 or have antibodies in their blood. Nine are currently hospitalized. No deaths have been reported from the disease.
Persichilli stated “Black and Hispanic children account for a disproportionately high number” on a national scale. While only a small sample, Persichilli reported the racial breakdown in New Jersey was 39% Hispanic, 34% Black, 16% White, 7% Asian and 5% other.
Long-term Care Facilities
Health officials noted 557 long-term care facilities are reporting at least one case of COVID-19 and accounted for 36,461 of the cases, broken down between 24,199 residents and 12,262 staff. The state’s official death total will now be reported as those that are lab confirmed, sits at 6,476 on July 2. The facilities are reporting to the state 6,542 residents deaths and 117 staff deaths.
In a by-county breakdown:
Bergen County
- 63 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 3309 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 1736 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 926 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 11 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Essex County
- 46 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 2198 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 1051 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 568 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 20 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Morris County
- 42 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1437 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 711 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 487 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 3 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Passaic County
- 25 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1282 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 751 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 386 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 15 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Hudson County
- 15 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 1004 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 562 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 253 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
- 150 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 108 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 4 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
Warren County
- 7 Facilities with Outbreaks
- 408 Total Resident Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 135 Total Staff Cases at Long Term Care Facilities
- 121 Resident Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
- 1 Staff Deaths reported by Long Term Care Facilities
