New Jersey Sees Spike In COVID Hospitalizations, Transmission Rate, Ventilators

NEW JERSEY — Days before the holidays begin, New Jersey is already seeing a spike in COVID-19 in its hospitals causing lawmakers to encourage vaccinations and boosters.

Over the past week alone, New Jersey saw an increase in the rate of COVID-19 transmission from 1.04 to 1.23, said Gov. Phil Murphy during a news conference Monday.

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Additionally, Murphy said the state is seeing an increase in hospitalizations over the past week.

Last Sunday, Nov. 14, New Jersey hospitals reported 690 hospitalizations of which 626 are confirmed with COVID-19. On Monday, Nov. 22 that number grew to 816 hospitalizations with 768 confirmed with COVID-19.

The number of ICU patients and those placed on ventilators has also spiked up 24 percent, said Murphy.

As of Monday, there are 168 ICU patients and 78 people on ventilators.

"These numbers are being driven overwhelmingly by unvaccinated individuals," said Murphy. "And we know by now there is very little we can say up here to lead them to get vaccinated but for those who are vaccinated this is another reason to get your booster."

➡️816 patients in our hospitals (768 confirmed COVID-positive, 48 persons under investigation)
➡️168 patients in our ICUs
➡️78 ventilators in use
➡️74 live patients discharged
➡️104 COVID-positive patients admitted
➡️4 in-hospital deaths pic.twitter.com/RQeC5m7Qiv
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 22, 2021

On Monday, Murphy also announced seven new deaths bringing the total to 25,442.

"The vaccines continue to be showing tremendous power. Greater than 99 percent of those vaccinated overall remain virus-free. But as we know the vaccine does begin to lose some effectiveness in some people over time. Breakthroughs continue to appear to be relatively rare but do happen. We strongly encourage you to get that booster as soon as possible," said Murphy.

BREAKTHROUGH CASES UPDATE:

From 1/19 – 11/8:
➡️5,828,060 total fully vaccinated individuals
➡️50,762 total breakthrough cases (0.87%)
➡️1,061 fully vaccinated individuals requiring hospitalization for COVID (0.02%)
➡️300 COVID-related deaths among fully vaccinated (0.005%) pic.twitter.com/8H9FpIutTd
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 22, 2021

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