Weekend COVID roundup: Cases up; stimulus chances down; Christie out of hospital

The number of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to rise — but they are not quite at the point where New Jersey will be placed on the quarantine list created by New York state (and used by New Jersey for others).

This means, you could argue, that the situation in New Jersey remains better than it does in at least 35 other states, which are on the list.

Murphy announced the state had 751 new cases Sunday, following 901 new cases Saturday, 881 Friday and 1,301 Thursday.

The state’s current seven-day rolling average is 789. It would need to be over 880 for the Garden State to be on the list.

Here’s the bad news: The state’s rolling average since Thursday is 959.

A look at the reported new cases in last seven days:

  • Sunday: 751;
  • Saturday: 901;
  • Friday: 881;
  • Thursday: 1,301;
  • Wednesday: 514;
  • Tuesday: 651;
  • Monday: 522.

In other news this weekend:

Stimulus on hold … again

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.) — the co-founder of the Problem Solvers Caucus — pleaded for his fellow elected officials in Washington, D.C., to come together on a new stimulus package this weekend. That seems unlikely.

This, after it appeared leaders might use proposals by the caucus as a starting point.

“Just a few weeks back, the bipartisan framework that the Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled helped restart negotiations,” Gottheimer said in statement. “Now that the negotiators are back at the table, let’s get a bipartisan deal across the finish line.

“We must not quit on the American people. We are in the middle of a health and economic crisis, and there is simply far too much on the line — from our families, small businesses and jobs, to our health and safety, schools and communities. Let’s do what’s right for the American people and get a bipartisan deal done.”

This weekend, both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Republicans appeared to move away from President Donald Trump’s latest $1.8 trillion proposal, the Washington Post reported. Republicans said it gave away too much — specifically in regard to the Affordable Care Act; Pelosi said it didn’t provide enough in terms of help for the unemployed and aid for states and cities.

Christie out of hospital

Former Gov. Chris Christie tweeted that he had been released from Morristown Medical Center on Saturday, after spending a week there because of COVID-19.

Christie, who is one of many people close to Trump who are presumed to have been infected with COVID during the week leading up to the first debate, offered little news. For now.

Christie tweeted: “I will have more to say about all of this next week.”

Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy offered their support all week and said Saturday they were glad to hear the news of Christie’s discharge and wished him a full recovery.

Final word(s)

Murphy offered words of praise, support and encouragement Sunday, which marked both the International Day of the Girl and National Coming Out Day.

On the Day of the Girl: “Let’s recommit to ensuring that every girl has the support she needs to reach her dreams — in the Garden State and across the world.”

On Coming Out Day: “No matter who you love, how you identify or where you are in your journey – New Jersey loves you and stands with you. And, together, we’ll keep up the fight for full equality.”