The scenario Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli has been spelling out for a week finally came true: New Jersey had a massive increase in positive tests reported Monday, 80, lifting the state’s confirmed number to 178.
The numbers only get worse. Health officials know there are more cases out there that haven’t been reported — and Persichilli thinks the state has hit the surge mark in new cases.
“Although it’s difficult to predict, I suggest that we can suspect several more weeks of significant activity,” she said.
She was not with optimism.
“Hopefully, things can stabilize if we all take a part in avoiding the spread,” she said.
Here’s a county breakdown of Monday’s new cases:
- 32: Bergen
- 9: Essex
- 8: Hudson
- 5: Mercer, Middlesex
- 4: Somerset, Union
- 3: Passaic
- 2: Monmouth, Morris
- 1: Burlington, Camden, Hunterdon, Ocean
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said these numbers are another indication that this outbreak is having serious consequences on the state.
Murphy outlined numerous social distancing measures he is enacting by executive order to slow the spread and repeatedly begged citizens to do their part.
“We have to put an end to business as usual,” he said. “And to the folks who don’t think it’s real, trust me, it’s real.”
These numbers show it is. Here’s a look at the jump in confirmed cases since last Wednesday. The first case was announced on March 4.
- Tuesday: 17
- Wednesday: 23
- Thursday: 29
- Friday: 50
- Saturday: 69
- Sunday: 98
- Monday: 178
