Highest-Ever COVID Case Numbers Recorded In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Once again, New Jersey hit a new record Wednesday, with 20,483 new COVID-19 virus cases reported in one day and also 50 new deaths.

This new record is just about 5,000 more than the previous record from last week when New Jersey reported 15,482 cases.

Of these new cases, there are 3,273 hospitalized and 261 on ventilators.

While these records are the largest numbers of cases ever to be reported throughout the almost two-year pandemic, it is important to note that it is difficult to fully compare the numbers since testing was less widely available in the past, according to Donna Leusner, director of communications with the New Jersey Department of Health.

As cases surge so does the need for testing. COVID test sites across the state are being overrun and it is nearly impossible to find a rapid COVID test in stores.

Saint Peter's University Hospital announced Wednesday they are permanently closing down the rapid drive-through COVID testing the hospital offered in its parking lot due an increasing number of COVID patients now coming into the emergency room. Read More: Saint Peter's Ends COVID Testing Due To ER Increase In Patients

Hackensack Meridian Health also advised residents not to come for testing.

"The emergency room should not be your primary destination if you are looking for a COVID test and have mild to moderate symptoms. You should only visit the emergency room if you experience symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention," according to Hackensack Meridian Health.

Finding tests in stores is almost impossible. Walgreens, Walmart and CVS began limiting the number of COVID-19 tests customers can purchase at one time last week. Read More: NJ Walgreens, CVS Limit COVID-19 Tests As Demand Explodes

New Jersey offers a website to find a place near you that offers rapid COVID testing by putting your ZIP code in: click here.

Governor Phil Murphy recently announced there are more than 100 free and public COVID-19 testing sites throughout New Jersey.

To help, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it will open a mass coronavirus testing site in New Jersey.

Federal officials are bringing a free, mass coronavirus testing site to East Orange to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant. And it will be open to all New Jersey residents, authorities announced Wednesday. Read More: Mass COVID Test Site In East Orange Will Serve All NJ Residents

This is also having a rippling effect on local schools in New Jersey schools with many pivoting to remote learning. Read More: NJ School Closures Grow As COVID Cases Spike

Ramapo College College announced some employees will operate remotely after their winter break ends in preparation for the return of students to campus on Jan. 17. Read More: Ramapo College Will Operate Remote Upon Return From Winter Break

And Bergen Community College announced students in the new year will need to be vaccinated, or complete weekly COVID-19 tests. Read More: Bergen Community College To Require COVID Vaccine, Negative Test

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