By NJ Spotlight
| New Jersey reported an additional 2,651 confirmed cases, bringing the total statewide number to 121,190 and continuing a trend downward. An additional 311 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of fatalities in the state to 7,538. Hospitalization continued their steady decline, with 5,972 individuals hospitalized as of last night, a 28% drop from the peak on April 14. 1,724 were in intensive/critical care,1,286 required ventilators,571 discharges (excluding deaths) slightly exceeded the 532 new admissions, continuing a close tracking between the two (above chart). |
| State and federal response Gov. Phil Murphy said tomorrow’s first relaxation of restrictions on parks and golf courses would be a “big test” for whether to continue other such moves. “Social distancing will be the watch word,” he said. Murphy said he would announce Monday or Tuesday whether schools would remain closed for the rest of the school year. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced New York schools would stay closed. In state and county parks, social distancing requirements would remain in place, face masks would be “strongly recommended,” parking would be limited to 50 percent capacity, any gatherings such as picnics or organized games would be prohibited, and any restrooms or playgrounds would remain closed. On golf courses, tee times would be at least 16 minutes apart, golf carts would be limited to one passenger, additional sanitization would be required of facilities and even flag sticks, and foursomes would be limited to immediate family. The opening of tennis courts would be left to their respective counties and municipalities. The governor signed an executive order relaxing the in-person requirements for both the solemnization of marriage licenses for couples and attaining working papers for minors. Wedding ceremonies will be allowed to be held using video-conferencing technology, with certain safeguards. Municipalities are still permitted to allow in-person ceremonies, subject to social distancing, but will not be required to do so.For working papers, the requirement that a school district-designated individual give in-person sign off is waived for this emergency. NJ Department of Corrections, in partnership with Rutgers University Correctional Healthcare and Accurate Diagnostics Lab, announced plans to provide COVID-19 tests to staff, inmates, and residents on-site at each of NJDOC’s facilities and halfway houses. The plan leverages the FDA-approved Rutgers saliva test administered to NJDOC’s staff of approximately 8,000 employees and 18,000 inmates by UCHC. Universal testing is expected to begin by the end of next week and will help the Department inform its operational needs related to the management of the infirm while maintaining the safe operation of facilities. Additionally, in support of staff safety, the NJDOC is obtaining full-service non-congregate housing for its first responders and Rutgers UCHC staff members with exposure to the virus through a program offered by the NJ Office of Emergency Management and FEMA NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson today announced $6.3 million in funding to the 21 counties to support home delivered meals and other food for older residents during the pandemic. In local enforcement actions overnight, NJ State Police reported Newark had issued citations to 69 individuals and closed one business, Point Pleasant had cited a gym for being open, Mansfield cited a nail salon, and Paterson a furniture store Related coronavirus news stories: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murply’s news conference (video) Maps, charts show coronavirus’ impact in N.J. (Friday, May 1) – NJ.com Don’t miss stories like this Click for EP Blog updates |
