South Brunswick Reports 65% Increase In COVID Cases: Officials

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management on Monday said COVID-19 cases have increased by 65 percent in the community.

Last week the township saw 81 new cases — a 65 percent increase over the previous week, and recorded one COVID-related death. In addition, 17 cases were reported from previous weeks.

Forty-six women and 35 men tested positive with the average age being 35 years old. There were 12 people under 18 who tested positive, according to the report.

Officials said this increase mirrors statewide numbers. Health officials are currently unclear as to the exact cause of the increasing coronavirus cases. New Jersey is now the leading state in the nation for new cases according to Gov. Phil Murphy.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the state has identified at least 400 COVID variant cases, including 389 cases of the U.K. variant, one South African variant and 65 New York variant, which has been associated with reduced vaccine efficacy.

Because of the surge is variants, Murphy said the state will hold off on reopening plans.

Read More Here: Gov. Murphy: Surge In COVID Variants In NJ Will Delay Reopenings

There is no local data for variants at the moment, said South Brunswick officials.

Officials have asked residents to remain vigilant as cases continuing to increase. “It has been over a year and “pandemic fatigue” is normal, but stopping the spread depends on everyone,” officials said in a statement.

The Office of Emergency Management is asking residents to double their efforts in the following areas:

• Wear a mask over your mouth and nose
• Avoid crowded areas
• Use Social Distancing by Staying 6 feet apart
• Get Vaccinated

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