Transmission rate, hospitalizations increase.

By Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com With the state in the middle of what Gov. Phil Murphy called “a big week” for reopening steps, New Jersey on Wednesday reported 11 more deaths attributed to the coronavirus and 329 new cases. Meanwhile, the state’s rate of transmission increased for the fifth straight day but remained below a key benchmark measuring how the virus is spreading. And hospitalizations related to COVID-19 topped 500 for the first time in 18 days. Murphy announced the figures during his latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton as the state is kicking off a new school year “unlike any other.” Not receiving our free EP Blog updates? The governor announced 434 districts will start, many next week, with a hybrid model or in-person and remote learning, 68 will start with all in-person classes, 242 start all-remote, and 22 will start with “some combination of all-of-the-above,” Murphy said. In addition, indoor dining, movie theaters, and indoor performing arts venues in New Jersey will be permitted to reopen with restrictions starting Friday. That’s after Gyms were allowed to reopen to limited indoor capacity Tuesday. “This virus is not done with us yet, not by a long shot,” Murphy said. “But today we can say that New Jersey is one of the safest states in the nation.” Still, the governor cautioned, “our numbers continue to be moving around — I would say sideways.” Read the full story