Summit Has Only One Coronavirus Case In A Week

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit has gone a week with only one new coronavirus case being reported, according to the city's numbers released Thursday evening. The current number of Summit residents who've tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic is 233.

On Sunday, the New Jersey State Department of Health informed the city that there had been one new covid-19 case reported between Friday, Aug. 21 and that day. It brought the total number of confirmed cases fron 232 to 233, where it stands.

The city has had a total of 17 deaths of residents from the virus. The most recent was reported on June 17, when the city noted, "The deceased is a resident that had previously been hospitalized."

Eight of the deaths were reported as being associated with long-term care facilities.

A month ago, on July 26, the total case number was reported as 226. Local numbers can be found each day here.

Statewide, residents are encouraged to social distance, wear masks in public places, and limit most indoor gatherings to 25 people.

Here are some other recent Summit coronavirus updates:

HOW TO GET TESTED

Those who want to get tested can choose among these steps:

• If you're a Union County resident, you can make an appointment at the county testing site by calling 908-214-7107.
• To find out more about getting tested in Union County, contact your doctor, visit covid19.nj.gov/testing, or call 211.
• The schedule for the Union County drive-through testing center has changed several times since the pandemic began, so call the number for the most up-to-date information.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

STATE AND NATIONAL NUMBERS AND TRENDS

• New Jersey updated its list of states in its travel advisory on Tuesday. There are now 31 states and two territories from which residents must quarantine upon return. Read more here.
• The state has reported 190,021, total coronavirus cases and 14,124 confirmed deaths since the pandemic began. On Tuesday, the state reported 346 new cases and five new deaths. This death rate is down from the high of 460 deaths in 24 hours reported on April 30.
• Many other states reached record daily death rates in July (see the daily totals in each state here). They have pulled back on their reopenings, including Texas, which closed bars after seeing record numbers of hospitalizations and deaths.
• More than 176,000 Americans have died of coronavirus, and more than 5.6 million have tested positive.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally. Others are fighting dangerous misinformation as they fight the virus.

LONG-TERM CARE

• New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.
• The state released death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.
• Other states have been dealing with nursing home deaths more recently, including a recent outbreak in a Texas nursing home.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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