It was only a matter of time and the sad reality of the situation.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the city had its first confirmed coronavirus case Sunday afternoon.
“What is happening all over the country unfortunately is happening here in New Jersey,” he said at Sunday briefing. “Now, it has hit home in the city of Newark.”
Newark officials said the confirmed case is a male in his 50s who has self-quarantined. Officials said they have another case where an individual has tested positive, but they have been unable to determine if that person is a Newark resident.
The case is the 11th in Essex County, County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said.
They are in the following towns:
3. Monclair;
2. Bloomfield, Millburn, Nutley;
1. Maplewood, Newark.
DiVincenzo said those numbers are low.
“The numbers from yesterday have doubled and there’s no question it’s going to get higher the next few weeks,” he said.
DiVincenzo said he is requesting the state help the county set up two drive-by testing centers, one in Newark and one in West Essex.
