SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — For the second day in a row, New Jersey reported more than 100 COVID-19 deaths, but state authorities are suggesting that the second wave may be leveling off.
Gov. Phil Murphy reported 4,919 new coronavirus cases and 103 additional deaths on Wednesday. On Tuesday, he announced 104 deaths. Murphy said it’s the first time since May that the state has reported back-to-back days with more than 100 deaths.
In all, 16,521 people have died from the virus in New Jersey.
“These numbers remain sobering,” Murphy said at a Trenton news conference. “A week ago, our hospital numbers were actually dropping a little bit, and now they’re even higher than they were seven months ago.”
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Although the state continues to vaccinate health care workers, Dr. Ed Lifshitz, medical director of the state Health Department’s Communicable Disease Service, said the second wave is growing more slowly because of mask-wearing and social distancing.
He compared the current growth curve to taking the stairs, instead of the elevator.
“My hope is … we are now cresting near the top of the curve, and that we will begin to hopefully … see it begin to drop down again,” Lifshitz said. “I do think that there is certainly room for some optimism.”
Murphy emphasized that’s why people need to be vigilant over the holidays.
“Don’t screw up Christmas,” the governor urged. “Don’t go big. Don’t go multigenerational. Stay within your immediate family.
“Keep to a small indoor celebration among only your immediate family, and if you are going together with others, please — I know it sounds crazy — please try to do it outdoors.”
The state health commissioner said nearly 28,000 health care workers have been vaccinated so far. Residents in New Jersey nursing homes will begin vaccinations on Monday.