Yesterday Governor Murphy announced there were 3,489 additional positive results since the day before and 182 deaths. That brings the statewide totals to 25,590 positive results and 537 COVID-19 related deaths. The negative cases are 33,520. These results will likely increase in the days and weeks ahead, particularly as more testing sites are set up. The Governor noted that the number of deaths is not real-time because there is a lag in confirming deaths by COVID-19. The Governor will release updates numbers at his 1 pm press briefing today.
In addition, the Department of Health has a COVID-19 dashboard that is updated daily. The dashboard includes the number of both positive and negative tests.
The Commissioner of Health noted that it is predicted that we would see the statewide surge the second week in April with the northern part of the state to begin to see the surge the first week in April.
By an agreement between the Legislature and Administration, the State Budget will be delayed until September 30. They will be making temporary appropriations to continue state operations. The League has reached out to the Governor’s office and State Legislative Leaders on the potential impact on local budgets. We will provide you with updates as we receive them.
Last week the League presented a free webinar for its membership, which provided an overview of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order, recently enacted State laws in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, legislation under consideration, Administrative Orders and Attorney General directive and a summary of the Federal CARES act.
The presentation is available both in PowerPoint format as well as a PDF document. While the information is a week old, you can still use this presentation, which includes links to the source materials, as a reference document.
Additional updates related to the current state of emergency:
- The Department of Health has issued waivers on the number of crew members need for ambulance to operate. Basic Life Support Services (BLS) waiver allows a rig to have 1 EMT and 1 First Responder instead of the required 2 EMTS. Advance Life Support Services waiver allows 1 EMT with either 1 paramedic or 1 mobile intensive care nurse instead of 2 EMTs with either 2 Registered Nurses or 1 Registered Nurse and 1 EMT.
- Attorney General issued guidelines on prescribing hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine due to concerns of potential drug shortages.
- The Governor has issued an Executive Order 113 permitting the State Police to commandeer medical supplies such as N95 masks, PPE, ventilators, respirators, and anesthesia machines to distribute to acute care facilities, hospitals, and other frontline workers.
- The Governor issued an administrative order permitting Blood Drives.
- The Division of Local Government Service issued Operational Guidance to Zoning Boards and Planning Boards regarding remote meetings and hearings.
- The Division of Local Government Service issued guidance to municipalities clarifying employee leave time and staffing FAQs published by the Civil Service Commission.
Contact: Michael F. Cerra, Assistant Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x120.