188 Coronavirus Cases, 11 Deaths: Hillsborough Mayor Explains Why

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough saw a huge jump in confirmed cases and deaths of the new coronavirus recently. The township is now reporting a total of 188 cases and 11 deaths as of Thursday afternoon. Looking at the overall numbers, about 6 percent of the confirmed cases in Hillsborough have died.

The number jumped by more than 20 on Wednesday as the township is now basing their numbers off the township's Board of Health and not the Somerset County numbers.

"We started a new reporting system since the county and state are so far behind the actual known cases of COVID-19. We just thought it was better if we report what we know in the Hillsborough Board of Health Office," Mayor Doug Tomson said Thursday in a video. (Watch the full video below)

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Of the total cases, 76 residents have fully recovered. Looking at long-term care facilities they are reporting a total 63 cases and 13 deaths.

"As obviously you can tell there is discrepancy in the numbers. We only report deaths that have been officially entered into the system so that's why you see a difference there," Tomson said. "So obviously our number of residents who have passed away will continue to rise."

Here is the age breakdown of confirmed cases in Hillsborough:

• 2 - age 0 to 9
• 4 - age 10 to 19
• 16 - age 20 to 29
• 14 - age 30 to 39
• 33 - age 40 to 49
• 36 - age 50 to 59
• 36 - age 60 to 69
• 14 - age 70 to 79
• 25 - age 80 to 89
• 8 - age 90 to 99

"The reality is this virus affects everyone but it is particularly cruel to individuals who are elderly so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers," Tomson said.

As of Thursday, Somerset County is reporting 2,798 cases and 196 deaths. In New Jersey, the number of cases rose to 99,989 on Thursday, and 5,368 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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