Expect High COVID-19 Numbers Through New Year: South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick continues to see the fallout from Thanksgiving gatherings. According to town officials, the upcoming weeks will be difficult, with the township reporting high weekly COVID-19 number.

On Monday, South Brunswick reported 86 new weekly coronavirus cases – their second highest since the pandemic began.

“We were concerned about this going into Thanksgiving and the Holidays,” said Bernard P. Hvozdovic, Township manager.

“Students returning home from college and families getting together was always going to drive the numbers up,” explained Hvozdovic.

“Our increases mirrors what health experts had anticipated with the Thanksgiving holiday,” he said.

South Brunswick currently has 1,064 cases of residents who have tested positive.

"From what we are seeing, the trend, it is getting a little younger,” said Hvozdovic. Eighteen people below the age of 18 tested positive from last week – the highest since the pandemic began, according to township data.

Anticipating this increase, South Brunswick had closed down public buildings and offices back in November. The school district went virtual and most town business was conducted virtually.

“We doubled down ahead of Thanksgiving to keep people, especially our employees safe,” said Hvozdovic.

The township manager sees tough few weeks ahead, now that the Holiday season is here.

“We expect to see high numbers through the New Year,” he said.

“I just hope people physically distance, wear masks and just generally avoid large gatherings. A lot of this can be avoided,” he said.

Those who tested positive last week included 43 men and 43 women.

With the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine ready for use, Hvozdovic sees “hope on the horizon.”

“I hope the vaccine works with minimal side effects and people are confident to get it,” he said.

South Brunswick was recently contacted by Middlesex county, who is currently putting together a vaccine distribution plan. A list of potential sites was sent by the town.

More information on the sites will be released when the state health department finalizes the list.

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