TRENTON (WCBS 880) — New Jersey continues to keep an eye on the rising number of coronavirus cases as the Health Commissioner on Wednesday reported the death of a 7-month-old who tested positive for the virus posthumously.
Gov. Phil Murphy in recent days has raised alarm over the growing number of cases in the state, which he claims has been caused be a rise in indoor parties.
The troubling statistics prompted the governor to tighten the rules on indoor gatherings, dropping capacity from a maximum of 100 people to just 25 people. He says he fears more deaths could come if the virus continues to spread.
On Wednesday, the state reported a total of eight new coronavirus deaths, bringing the statewide total to 13,989. Heath Commissioner Judy Persichilli elaborated on the statistics, noting the 7-month-old would be the youngest COVID-19 death reported in New Jersey.
She said the child tested positive for the virus after death but stressed that health officials don’t know the child’s primary cause of death. Persichilli did not reveal any more details about the child.
“For privacy reasons, the department is not releasing any further information on this tragic loss,” the health commissioner said. “Our thoughts are with the family.”
On Wednesday, more than 183,000 people in New jersey had tested positive for the virus and the governor noted the rate of transmission – the number of people infected by a person with the virus – was still too high.
“Our Rt is still too high, meaning coronavirus continues to spread TOO QUICKLY and TOO WIDELY across New Jersey. We need to get this number back below 1,” Murphy wrote on Twitter.
He once again urged people to wear masks, practice social distancing and take proper hygiene precautions to prevent the spread.
Gov. Murphy also noted that crowded house parties are not permitted in the state. Law enforcement has been instructed to crack down on any large gatherings.
AirBnB has also stepped up by deleting a number of listings suspected of being used as “party mansions.”
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