NJ COVID Numbers Hit Lowest Levels In A Year As Vaccines Pushed

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey had its lowest COVID numbers in nearly a year over the weekend as the Garden State continues to push efforts to expand vaccinations across the state.

New Jersey reported 177 new cases – the lowest daily number since July 19 and July 20, 2020 when the Garden State reported 144 and 177 cases, respectively (see the list of cases below).

If the progress continues, New Jersey could very well be on pace to hit its lowest numbers since the pandemic began in early March. It also means that New Jersey's seven-day average 0f 312 cases is roughly a third of what it was a month ago when it was 1,080 from May 4th through 10th.

Gov. Phil Murphy said the fact that more than 4.2 million people have been fully vaccinated – nearing the state's goal of getting 4.7 million immunized by June 30th – has helped bring the COVID cases down dramatically.

"As we continue to push our vaccination program, we are seeing the results in the decreasing daily caseloads, in the falling patient numbers in our hospitals because we know of the effectiveness of the vaccines in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and preventing illnesses," Murphy said during his Wednesday news conference.

The effectiveness of the vaccine and falling case rates also compelled Murphy to open up much of New Jersey this past week and lift the state's mask orders. Read more: Face Mask Order Lifted: What You Can Do Now Amid COVID In NJ

Murphy is still pushing for more vaccinations so even more of the state case be opened up.

Two weeks ago, Murphy announced three new incentives to encourage COVID-19 vaccination in the state: getting a free glass of wine at nine state wineries, free entry to all state parks — including Island Beach State Park — and a chance to have dinner with the governor and his wife. Read more: COVID-19 Shot In NJ Now Gets You Free Beach Pass, Glass Of Wine

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Murphy and U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone announced the “Shots at the Shore” vaccination program to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations over the holiday.

The program, a partnership between federal, state, county, and local governments, as well as the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center and Walmart, provided COVID-19 vaccines to those visiting Monmouth County beaches on Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30.

The “Shots at the Shore” vaccination program also had locations at the Grande Arcade on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, the Gateway National Recreational Area in Sandy Hook and the gazebo at Pier Village in Long Branch

“More than 4 million New Jerseyans have rolled up their sleeves and are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Murphy. “Together, we are moving forward in our recovery, but we must continue working to reach our goal 4.7 million fully vaccinated New Jerseyans.

"We are grateful for the collaboration between our federal, state, and local governments, as well as our public and private partners, and for their commitment to providing easy and equitable access to vaccines. Through our ‘Shots at the Shore’ program, we’re giving New Jerseyans yet another reason to visit our beautiful beaches this Memorial Day Weekend.”

The new programs come as the South Jersey, Central Jersey and the Jersey Shore counties have shown significant progress in coronavirus metrics released this week by the state Department of Health.

The DOH's "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly, says that New Jersey's statewide activity has remained at "moderate" since dropping from "high" in mid-April.

The COVID-19 Activity Level Report divides New Jersey into regions and assesses their rates of new cases, COVID-19-like illnesses and positivity rates.

Here is what the report says:

At least eight counties are at a "moderate" risk of coronavirus transmission

The report divides New Jersey into six regions: Northwest, Northeast, Central West, Central East, Southwest and Southeast. It then looks at each region and assigns each a "current activity level" based on case rates, COVID-like illnesses and positivity rates.

The following is a breakdown of counties contained within each public health region: Northwest: Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren; Northeast: Bergen, Essex, Hudson; Central West: Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset; Central East: Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Union; South West: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem; South East: Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland.

Based on the findings, here are the South Jersey, Central Jersey and Jersey Shore counties that are currently "moderate":

• Burlington
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Mercer
• Middlesex
• Monmouth
• Ocean
• Salem

These counties are currently "low" (some of them moved down from "moderate"):

• Atlantic
• Cape May
• Cumberland

Here is the map:

Data

The state uses various data to determine the level of activity. Here they are:

• Case rate (per 100,000) is calculated as a proportion of the population — specifically, daily new COVID cases for every 100,000 people. Case rate is monitored as a seven-day average.
• COVID-like illness (CLI) is defined as fever and cough or dyspnea (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.) or the presence of coronavirus diagnosis codes. CLI is monitored as a seven-day weekly average.
• Percent positivity is the percentage of total positive tests out of all COVID-19 tests performed. Percent positivity is monitored as a seven-day average.
• The COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) Score is calculated this way: In each region, each indicator is assigned a value based on the activity range it falls into; next, the values are averaged together and this rounded average gives the CALI Score; the statewide activity level is calculated by averaging the CALI Scores for the six regions.

Here is the data for each region, including their activity levels:

The state's COVID activity timeline

The DOH says New Jersey's statewide activity is "moderate." It was "high" in late in April and May 2020, and "very high" in late March and early April of last year.

The moderate label was first assigned before the state even publicly identified a case: February 15, 2020.

Here is the timeline:

Here is a look at new coronavirus cases by day:

• June 1: 137
• May 31: 177
• May 30: 223
• May 29: 293
• May 28: 379
• May 27: 340
• May 26: 352
• May 25: 423
• May 24: 260
• May 23: 378
• May 22: 511
• May 21: 698
• May 20: 513
• May 19: 504
• May 18: 578
• May 17: 490
• May 16: 559
• May 15: 559
• May 14: 847
• May 13: 820
• May 12: 925
• May 11: 858
• May 10: 459
• May 9: 673
• May 8: 1,030
• May 7: 1,317
• May 6: 1,564
• May 5: 1,309
• May 4: 1,208
• May 3: 880
• May 2: 1,048
• May 1: 1,455
• April 30: 1,686
• April 29: 2,092
• April 28: 1,838
• April 27: 1,930
• April 26: 1,247
• April 25: 1,516
• April 24: 2,465
• April 23: 2,479
• April 22: 2,895
• April 21: 2,961
• April 20: 2,393
• April 19: 1,935
• April 18: 2,765
• April 17: 3,474
• April 16: 3,791
• April 15: 3,411
• April 14: 2,828
• April 13: 3,466
• April 12: 2,079
• April 11: 2,897
• April 10: 2,993
• April 9: 3,523
• April 8: 3,758
• April 7: 3,578
• April 6: 3,382
• April 5: 2,471
• April 4: 3,284
• April 3: 3,525
• April 2: 3,972
• April 1: 4,699
• March 31: 4,586
• March 30: 4,371
• March 29: 3,174
• March 28: 3,927
• March 27: 3,968
• March 26: 4,339
• March 25: 3,469
• March 24: 3,227
• March 23: 3,429
• March 22: 2,608
• March 21: 2,599
• March 20: 3,940
• March 19: 3,738
• March 18: 3,830
• March 17: 3,590
• March 16: 3,141
• March 15: 2,468
• March 14: 2,800
• March 13: 3,264
• March 12: 3,544
• March 11: 3,208
• March 10: 3,047
• March 9: 3,434
• March 8: 2,201
• March 7: 2,077
• March 6: 3,015
• March 5: 3,347
• March 4: 2,605
• March 3: 3,857
• March 2: 2,820
• March 1: 2,668
• February 28: 2,171
• February 27: 3,641
• February 26: 3,149
• February 25: 3,079
• February 24: 2,661
• February 23: 2,516
• February 22: 2,165
• February 21: 1,814
• February 20: 2,671
• February 19: 2,679
• February 18: 2,746
• February 17: 3,786
• February 16: 3,144
• February 15: 1,222
• February 14: 1,798
• February 13: 3,411
• February 12: 3,285
• February 11: 3,012
• February 10: 3,740
• February 9: 3,164
• February 8: 2,218
• February 7: 3,938
• February 6: 3,783
• February 5: 3,723
• February 4: 2,503
• February 3: 2,021
• February 2: 2,811
• February 1: 3,114
• January 31: 3,823
• January 30: 4,626
• January 29: 5,023
• January 28: 3,962
• January 27: 3,950
• January 26: 4,117
• January 25: 3,694
• January 24: 4,613
• January 23: 6,115
• January 22: 3,694
• January 21: 4,095
• January 20: 4,582
• January 19: 3,761
• January 18: 3,511
• January 17: 4,686
• January 16: 5,246
• January 15: 5,490
• January 14: 5,967
• January 13: 6,922
• January 12: 4,219
• January 11: 5,042
• January 10: 5,032
• January 9: 6,435
• January 8: 5,791
• January 7: 6,314
• January 6: 5,028
• January 5: 5,400
• January 4: 2,292
• January 3: 3,676
• January 2: 5,528
• January 1: 5,541
• December 31: 5,107
• December 30: 4,664
• December 29: 3,675
• December 28: 2,745
• December 27: 2,329
• December 26: 4,000
• December 25: 5,095
• December 24: 4,871
• December 23: 4,919
• December 22: 4,686
• December 21: 3,186
• December 20: 5,184
• December 19: 4,240
• December 18: 3,975
• December 17: 4,319
• December 16: 5,803
• December 15: 4,111
• December 14: 4,805
• December 13: 4,170
• December 12: 6,247
• December 11: 3,821
• December 10: 5,370
• December 9: 4.665
• December 8: 5,820
• December 7: 3,573
• December 6: 6,046
• December 5: 5,367
• December 4: 5,673
• December 3: 4,913
• December 2: 4,350
• December 1: 4,661
• November 30: 3,199
• November 29: 3,851
• November 28: 3,924
• November 27: 4,100
• November 26: 4,565
• November 25: 4,073
• November 24: 4,383
• November 23: 3,592
• November 22: 3,998
• November 21: 4,679
• November 20: 3,635
• November 19: 4,320
• November 18: 4,063
• November 17: 4,060
• November 16: 2,232
• November 15: 4,540
• November 14: 4,395
• November 13: 3,399
• November 12: 3,517
• November 11: 3,078
• November 10: 3,877
• November 9: 2,075
• November 8: 2,043
• November 7: 3,207
• November 6: 2,199
• November 5: 2,104
• November 4: 2,472
• November 3: 1,832
• November 2: 1,379
• November 1: 1,751
• October 31: 1,370
• October 30: 2,089
• October 29: 1,477
• October 28: 1,682
• October 27: 1,663
• October 26: 1,223
• October 25: 1,140
• October 24: 1,994
• October 23: 1,139
• October 22: 1,182
• October 21: 1,062
• October 20: 1,036
• October 19: 1,192
• October 18: 1,282
• October 17: 958
• October 16: 823
• October 15: 973
• October 14: 953
• October 13: 993
• October 12: 478
• October 11: 751
• October 10: 901
• October 9: 881
• October 8: 1,301
• October 7: 514
• October 6: 651
• October 5: 522
• October 4: 637
• October 3: 957
• October 2: 796
• October 1: 663
• September 30: 722
• September 29: 505
• September 28: 561
• September 27: 712
• September 26: 760
• September 25: 612
• September 24: 588
• September 23: 430
• September 22: 457
• September 21: 396
• September 20: 457
• September 19: 489
• September 18: 519
• September 17: 617
• September 16: 447
• September 15: 498
• September 14: 346
• September 13: 306
• September 12: 487
• September 11: 518
• September 10: 507
• September 9: 356
• September 8: 284
• September 7: 344
• September 6: 360
• September 5: 370
• September 4: 478
• September 3: 455
• September 2: 329
• September 1: 365
• August 31: 352
• August 30: 306
• August 29: 388
• August 28: 372
• August 27: 374
• August 26: 288
• August 25: 346
• August 24: 225
• August 23: 288
• August 22: 427
• August 21: 313
• August 20: 302
• August 19: 399
• August 18: 400
• August 17: 316
• August 16: 329
• August 15: 464
• August 14: 585
• August 13: 699
• August 12: 484
• August 11: 498
• August 10: 258
• August 9: 378
• August 8: 379
• August 7: 384
• August 6: 411
• August 5: 378
• August 4: 416
• August 3: 264
• August 2: 331
• August 1: 393
• July 31: 699
• July 30: 261
• July 29: 489
• July 28: 565
• July 27: 446
• July 26: 512
• July 25: 547
• July 24: 488
• July 23: 344
• July 22: 390
• July 21: 424
• July 20: 177
• July 19: 144
• July 18: 309
• July 17: 202
• July 16: 254
• July 15: 396
• July 14: 423
• July 13: 231
• July 12: 349
• July 11: 438
• July 10: 367
• July 9: 354
• July 8: 335
• July 7: 310
• July 6: 216
• July 5: 398
• July 4: 303
• July 3: 386
• July 2: 539
• July 1: 423
• June 30: 461
• June 29: 156
• June 28: 354
• June 27: 347
• June 26: 524
• June 25: 406
• June 24: 317
• June 23: 382
• June 22: 359
• June 21: 411
• June 20: 446
• June 19: 516
• June 18: 442
• June 17: 330
• June 16: 470
• June 15: 274
• June 14: 305
• June 13: 523
• June 12: 495
• June 11: 539
• June 10: 611
• June 9: 375
• June 8: 356
• June 7: 426
• June 6: 606
• June 5: 864
• June 4: 603
• June 3: 652
• June 2: 708
• June 1: 509
• May 31: 868
• May 30: 910
• May 29: 1,117
• May 28: 1,261
• May 27: 970
• May 26: 703
• May 25: 965
• May 24: 1,065
• May 23: 443
• May 22: 1,394
• May 21: 1,304
• May 20: 1,670
• May 19: 1,055
• May 18: 1,735
• May 17: 1,272
• May 16: 1,239
• May 15: 1,297
• May 14: 1,216
• May 13: 1,028
• May 12: 898
• May 11: 1,453
• May 10: 1,503
• May 9: 1,759
• May 8: 1,985
• May 7: 1,827
• May 6: 1,513
• May 5: 2,494
• May 4: 1,621
• May 3: 3,144
• May 2: 2,912
• May 1: 2,651
• April 30: 2,633
• April 29: 2,481
• April 28: 2,887
• April 27: 2,146
• April 26: 3,730
• April 25: 3,457
• April 24: 3,047
• April 23: 4,427
• April 22: 3,551
• April 21: 3,644
• April 20: 3,528
• April 19: 3,915
• April 18: 3,026
• April 17: 3,250
• April 16: 4,391
• April 15: 2,625
• April 14: 4,049
• April 13: 3,219
• April 12: 3,733
• April 11: 3,599
• April 10: 3,627
• April 9: 3,748
• April 8: 3,088
• April 7: 3,361
• April 6: 3,663
• April 5: 3,482
• April 4: 4,331
• April 3: 4,372
• April 2: 3,489
• April 1: 3,649
• March 31: 2,196
• March 30: 3,347
• March 29: 2,316
• March 28: 2,289
• March 27: 1,982
• March 26: 2,492
• March 25: 736
• March 24: 846
• March 23: 935
• March 22: 590
• March 21: 442
• March 20: 155
• March 19: 318
• March 18: 162
• March 17: 89
• March 16: 80
• March 15: 31
• March 14: 19
• March 13: 21
• March 12: 21
• March 11: 8
• March 10: 4
• March 9: 5
• March 8: 6
• March 7: 1
• March 6: 1
• March 5: 1
• March 4: 1

Here is a look at coronavirus deaths by day:

• June 1: 7
• May 31: 5
• May 30: 6
• May 29: 17
• May 28: 12
• May 27: 14
• May 26: 25
• May 25: 24
• May 24: 10
• May 23: 7
• May 22: 16
• May 21: 17
• May 20: 25
• May 19: 21
• May 18: 24
• May 17: 13
• May 16: 9
• May 15: 9
• May 14: 21
• May 13: 26
• May 12: 23
• May 11: 31
• May 10: 10
• May 9: 13
• May 8: 24
• May 7: 29
• May 6: 34
• May 5: 34
• May 4: 45
• May 3: 16
• May 2: 19
• May 1: 36
• April 30: 26
• April 29: 20
• April 28: 35
• April 27: 60
• April 26: 19
• April 25: 13
• April 24: 39
• April 23: 27
• April 22: 31
• April 21: 46
• April 20: 40
• April 19: 18
• April 18: 13
• April 17: 40
• April 16: 41
• April 15: 47
• April 14: 43
• April 13: 49
• April 12: 27
• April 11: 14
• April 10: 33
• April 9: 43
• April 8: 35
• April 7: 45
• April 6: 53
• April 5: 15
• April 4: 11
• April 3: 24
• April 2: 26
• April 1: 30
• March 31: 44
• March 30: 61
• March 29: 16
• March 28: 16
• March 27: 30
• March 26: 28
• March 25: 38
• March 24: 28
• March 23: 61
• March 22: 28
• March 21: 40
• March 20: 31
• March 19: 27
• March 18: 31
• March 17: 38
• March 16: 41
• March 15: 23
• March 14: 15
• March 13: 36
• March 12: 40
• March 11: 46
• March 10: 56
• March 9: 46
• March 8: 20
• March 7: 17
• March 6: 37
• March 5: 35
• March 4: 42
• March 3: 63
• March 2: 48
• March 1: 21
• February 28: 15
• February 27: 49
• February 26: 46
• February 25: 70
• February 24: 57
• February 23: 104
• February 22: 17
• February 21: 25
• February 20: 51
• February 19: 64
• February 18: 89
• February 17: 92
• February 16: 31
• February 15: 14
• February 14: 15
• February 13: 47
• February 12: 64
• February 11: 79
• February 10: 88
• February 9: 92
• February 8: 25
• February 7: 26
• February 6: 78
• February 5: 93
• February 4: 101
• February 3: 52
• February 2: 71
• February 1: 34
• January 31: 29
• January 30: 74
• January 29: 83
• January 28: 82
• January 27: 107
• January 26: 133
• January 25: 21
• January 24: 17
• January 23: 63
• January 22: 118
• January 21: 98
• January 20: 122
• January 19: 54
• January 18: 23
• January 17: 26
• January 16: 96
• January 15: 67
• January 14: 94
• January 13: 95
• January 12: 108
• January 11: 51
• January 10: 32
• January 9: 102
• January 8: 112
• January 7: 123
• January 6: 104
• January 5: 138
• January 4: 38
• January 3: 21
• January 2: 27
• January 1: 119
• December 31: 90
• December 30: 99
• December 29: 127
• December 28: 21
• December 27: 20
• December 26: 19
• December 25: 51
• December 24: 80
• December 23: 103
• December 22: 104
• December 21: 29
• December 20: 21
• December 19: 49
• December 18: 44
• December 17: 77
• December 16: 91
• December 15: 97
• December 14: 25
• December 13: 24
• December 12: 71
• December 11: 55
• December 10: 68
• December 9: 91
• December 8: 90
• December 7: 17
• December 6: 15
• December 5: 53
• December 4: 48
• December 3: 64
• December 2: 56
• December 1: 90
• November 30: 15
• November 29: 13
• November 28: 24
• November 27: 19
• November 26: 39
• November 25: 50
• November 24: 48
• November 23: 11
• November 22: 15
• November 21: 34
• November 20: 23
• November 19: 34
• November 18: 27
• November 17: 38
• November 16: 14
• November 15: 18
• November 14: 26
• November 13: 28
• November 12: 18
• November 11: 15
• November 10: 21
• November 9: 11
• November 8: 4
• November 7: 11
• November 6: 13
• November 5: 12
• November 4: 9
• November 3: 18
• November 2: 3
• November 1: 4
• October 31: 12
• October 30: 7
• October 29: 8
• October 28: 14
• October 27: 14
• October 26: 7
• October 25: 4
• October 24: 8
• October 23: 11
• October 22: 18
• October 21: 18
• October 20: 13
• October 19: 4
• October 18: 7
• October 17: 2
• October 16: 5
• October 15: 6
• October 14: 9
• October 13: 7
• October 12: 1
• October 11: 3
• October 10: 7
• October 9: 6
• October 8: 11
• October 7: 4
• October 6: 9
• October 5: 2
• October 4: 1
• October 3: 4
• October 2: 4
• October 1: 5
• September 30: 9
• September 29: 10
• September 28: 1
• September 27: 3
• September 26: 6
• September 25: 7
• September 24: 10
• September 23: 7
• September 22: 7
• September 21: 2
• September 20: 3
• September 19: 3
• September 18: 5
• September 17: 3
• September 16: 9
• September 15: 9
• September 14: 3
• September 13: 4
• September 12: 4
• September 11: 9
• September 10: 5
• September 9: 7
• September 8: 5
• September 7: 2
• September 6: 4
• September 5: 7
• September 4: 7
• September 3: 9
• September 2: 11
• September 1: 7
• August 31: 8
• August 30: 4
• August 29: 4
• August 28: 9
• August 27: 7
• August 26: 11
• August 25: 5
• August 24: 3
• August 23: 3
• August 22: 3
• August 21: 13
• August 20: 8
• August 19: 11
• August 18: 10
• August 17: 4
• August 16: 4
• August 15: 7
• August 14: 10
• August 13: 8
• August 12: 9
• August 11: 14
• August 10: 4
• August 9: 5
• August 8: 9
• August 7: 12
• August 6: 8
• August 5: 8
• August 4: 11
• August 3: 10
• August 2: 6
• August 1: 11
• July 31: 10
• July 30: 16
• July 29: 18
• July 28: 24
• July 27: 17
• July 26: 11
• July 25: 16
• July 24: 36
• July 23: 23
• July 22: 24
• July 21: 21
• July 20: 9
• July 19: 11
• July 18: 16
• July 17: 20
• July 16: 32
• July 15: 27
• July 14: 28
• July 13: 22
• July 12: 16
• July 11: 49
• July 10: 31
• July 9: 28
• July 8: 53
• July 7: 52
• July 6: 20
• July 5: 23
• July 4: 25
• July 3: 58
• July 2: 27
• July 1: 45
• June 30: 47
• June 29: 18
• June 28: 30
• June 27: 36
• June 26: 44
• June 25: 26
• June 24: 48
• June 23: 57
• June 22: 27
• June 21: 17
• June 20: 25
• June 19: 37
• June 18: 38
• June 17: 47
• June 16: 51
• June 15: 52
• June 14: 40
• June 13: 103
• June 12: 48
• June 11: 70
• June 10: 74
• June 9: 91
• June 8: 40
• June 7: 79
• June 6: 60
• June 5: 79
• June 4: 92
• June 3: 112
• June 2: 51
• June 1: 27
• May 31: 66
• May 30: 113
• May 29: 131
• May 28: 66
• May 27: 148
• May 26: 54
• May 25: 16
• May 24: 52
• May 23: 96
• May 22: 146
• May 21: 98
• May 20: 168
• May 19: 162
• May 18: 83
• May 17: 107
• May 16: 116
• May 15: 201
• May 14: 244
• May 13: 197
• May 12: 198
• May 11: 59
• May 10: 140
• May 9: 166
• May 8: 162
• May 7: 254
• May 6: 308
• May 5: 334
• May 4: 45
• May 3: 137
• May 2: 205
• May 1: 311
• April 30: 460
• April 29: 329
• April 28: 402
• April 27: 106
• April 26: 75
• April 25: 249
• April 24: 253
• April 23: 307
• April 22: 314
• April 21: 379
• April 20: 177
• April 19: 132
• April 18: 231
• April 17: 323
• April 16: 362
• April 15: 351
• April 14: 365
• April 13: 94
• April 12: 168
• April 11: 251
• April 10: 233
• April 9: 198
• April 8: 275
• April 7: 232
• April 6: 86
• April 5: 71
• April 4: 200
• April 3: 113
• April 2: 182
• April 1: 91
• March 31: 69
• March 30: 37
• March 29: 21
• March 28: 32
• March 27: 27
• March 26: 19
• March 25: 18
• March 24: 17
• March 23: 7
• March 22: 4
• March 21: 5
• March 20: 2
• March 19: 4
• March 18: 3
• March 17: 0
• March 16: 1
• March 15: 0
• March 14: 1
• March 13: 0
• March 12: 0
• March 11: 0
• March 10: 1