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The turnaround on elective surgeries and invasive procedures represents a big step forward in public health, the governor said at his coronavirus press briefing. The move is possible because the data coming in daily from hospitals shows the stress on health care systems is declining.
“We are taking the step to allow the phased-in reopening of elective surgeries beginning with the urgent surgical procedures at our hospitals. Safety and protection of patients and staff will be paramount,” said Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
The governor stressed that 285 people entering the hospital system are still too many, but he credited the downward trends to New Jersey residents who are adhering to social distancing protocols.
With public health in mind, Murphy said, the state is reinforcing the push to vote by mail in the July 7 primary election.
In-person voting will still be an option, he said, with each county hosting a limited number of polling places. And to give adequate time for every vote to count, he said, the deadline for county boards of elections to receive those votes has been raised from two days to seven days after polls close.
Murphy had kind words for President Donald Trump, who called him earlier Friday to tell him that the federal CARES Act would provide $1.4 billion to New Jersey Transit.
“The largest single federal transit grant to New Jersey Transit ever,” the president tweeted.
Murphy told KYW Newsradio that he understands people’s frustrations right now with the unemployment system.
“I do not begrudge that frustration. This is a tsunami unlike any we’ve ever seen before, but I will say this: everyone who’s owed money is going to get every single penny that’s coming to them, both state and federal,” he said.
Murphy himself announced Friday that the small businesses hurt by the the state’s economic restrictions would have access to $50 million in prior CARES Act money to be doled out by the Economic Development Authority.
Cash tolls — which were suspended March 24 — will return next week to the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
Toll collectors on both highways will return Tuesday, protected by plastic shields in their booths. They will be wearing masks and gloves, and drivers are encouraged to wear masks when going through cash lanes.
New Jersey health officials confirmed 1,297 new positive COVID-19 test results. The statewide total stands at 143,905. South Jersey alone has 14,991 cases.
And another 201 infected New Jersey residents died of complications from the virus, pushing the South Jersey total to 818 people and the statewide total to 10,138 people.
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