Yesterday, the Governor announced an additional 1,827 confirmed positive test results for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 133,635. He also announced another 254 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 8,801.
There were 325 new hospitalizations and 460 hospital discharges. The state hit a milestone yesterday with less than 5,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19. The numbers continue to trend down.
The State Department of Labor reported an additional 88,326 unemployment claims in the last week. To date, over 1 million (1.018,785) claims have been filed since the declaration of the public health emergency.
The U.S. Treasury updated its Frequently Asked Questions CARES Act guidance. This revision will provide CARES Act recipient States (including New Jersey), and recipient units of local government (including New Jersey’s nine most populous counties) with greater flexibility in the use of those funds. In addition to giving State government greater flexibility for its own purposes, all New Jersey municipalities should be aware of this advice regarding fund usage.
Your NJ League has joined with its national affiliate, the National League of Cities (NLC) in its “Cities are Essential” campaign for direct aid to municipalities. See our May 6 Town Crier post for more.
In case you missed it:
In the past week, the Governor signed the following Executive Orders as a result of the pandemic:
Executive Order 135, suspending in-person requirements for receipt of a marriage license and marriage ceremonies, and for the receipt of working papers for minors.
Executive Order 136, extending Statutory Deadlines for Various Environmental Laws.
Executive Order 137, Executive Order to Recognize New Fiscal Realities Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Executive Order 138 continuing the public health emergency. Public health emergencies are for 30 days increments, so EO 138 was necessary to continue the current public health emergency.
See the League COVID-19 page for all our resources and communications.
In light of the current pandemic, we remind you of NJ Mental Health Cares; the state’s behavioral health information and referral service offers assistance to people dealing with anxiety and stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Residents can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support. NJ Mental Health Cares will be answered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week by live trained specialists.
Contact: Michael F. Cerra, Assistant Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x120.