The coronavirus pandemic is roaring back in New Jersey as officials revealed Thursday that the Garden State has seen more than 10,000 new cases since Monday and that a frightening 12 percent of tests are coming back positive.
Gov. Phil Murphy also reported on Twitter that hospitalizations in the Garden State have reached levels not seen since the first wave of the pandemic began to recede in June, with more than 1,800 patients in hospitals — including 360 in intensive care.
“We have to get back to the mindset that saw us crush the curve throughout the spring,” Murphy tweeted.
“We cannot be successful unless every New Jerseyan recognizes their responsibility in this fight,” he added. “Social distance. Wear a mask. Wash your hands.”
At a press conference later Thursday, Murphy hinted that additional restrictions might be on the table to get the infection rate back under control.
“Everything is on the table,” Murphy said about limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people. Other states, including New York, have imposed limitations like that in a bid to tamp down a potential second wave without resorting again to lockdowns.
However, Murphy added that any new restrictions would likely not affect schools.
There are growing fears in New York that a Garden State second wave could spill across the Hudson and into Gotham’s five boroughs, which are also contending with an uptick in COVID-19 cases as weather turns cooler and more people host gatherings inside.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo cited New Jersey’s spiraling numbers as he placed much of neighboring Staten Island under ‘yellow zone’ coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday.
