Chatham Township Sees New High For 2021 In Coronavirus Cases

CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — Although the days are lengthening and more people are getting COVID-19 vaccinations, Chatham Township Mayor Tracy Ness still has concerns. The township recently experienced its highest coronavirus case total for 2021, according to Ness.

The township reported 33 new cases from March 12 to Monday, and the local total of active cases has remained at 33 since March 15.

"These new cases are a new high for the year with 20 of the cases coming over the past three days," Ness said in a township update. "It is unclear if these are due to variants, letting our guard down or a combination of both. Let’s keep our guard up, our mask up, not congregate in larger groups so we can slow the spread."

Chatham Borough, meanwhile, reported 18 new cases from March 12 to Thursday. The borough has tallied 202 cases in 2021 and 447 cases to date.

Despite overall optimism due to increased vaccinations, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday he would hold off on reopening efforts. Murphy attributed the delay to a surge of COVID-19 virus variants in the region.

Murphy didn't provide a specific timeline but said New Jersey won't have any reopenings in the near future.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said there are at least 400 COVID variant cases in New Jersey, which are known to spread more quickly and perhaps cause more harmful effects.

Of those, 389 are the U.K. variant and one is the South African variant. Sixty-five are the New York variant, which has been associated with reduced vaccine efficacy. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Surge In COVID Variants In NJ Will Delay Reopenings

Despite a halt to reopenings elsewhere, the Library of the Chathams began allowing visitors inside by appointment. See more info here.

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