The state of New Jersey most likely will top 200,000 COVID-19 cases when Gov. Phil Murphy gives his daily update at 1 p.m. Monday.
The state announced 457 positive cases Sunday, pushing the cumulative total to 199,762. And, since the reporting is of 10 p.m. the day before, the state likely passed the barrier Sunday.
Based on trends, it is highly unlikely the state would report fewer than 238 new cases.
All things considered, there is some good news. Once second in the nation in cases among states to New York, New Jersey now ranks eighth — with North Carolina (more than 193,000) quickly gaining. Three states are over 675,000; four have topped 450,000.
New Jersey announced it had topped 100,000 cases nearly five months ago, on April 24 — a day when no state other than New York had even 50,000 cases.
The drop in ranking among states is as much about what the state has done to slow the spread as how much it is spreading elsewhere.
Murphy also reported three more confirmed COVID-19 fatalities, bringing that total to 14,276 — which is still well ahead of all states except for New York. And that count doesn’t include the 1,791 presumed COVID-19 deaths.
Other news from the weekend:
Honoring ‘RBG’
The passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was marked throughout the weekend.
Murphy ordered flags to fly at half-staff and dozens of people issued statements honoring her.
“Justice Ginsburg was an inspiration to countless young women and girls across our nation and around the globe — dedicating her life to equal justice under the law,” Murphy said. “She was an American icon. May her memory be a blessing.”
We could pick statements from countless others, but feel Attorney General Gurbir Grewal gets to the heart of her impact on the country.
“We mourn the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a trailblazing jurist and crusader for women’s rights and equal protection for all under the Constitution, whose jurisprudence will impact as well as inform our democracy for generations to come,” he said.
“Justice Ginsburg’s unflagging pursuit of justice, her incisive opinions and dissents, and her principled progressivism have inspired, and will continue to inspire, all of us who cherish our society as a nation based on the rule of law.
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg lived a life dedicated to the pursuit of empathy, equality and justice for all. While we can never repay what she has gifted us, we can honor her legacy by continuing her tireless fight for a more inclusive world.
“Rest in peace, RBG.”
Final word
Murphy on the country eclipsing the 200,000 mark for fatalities.
“No one should ever just be considered a number. May we gather in unity to remember and honor the precious lives lost and recommit to defeating this virus.”
