TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy officially has his pandemic powers back after the rate of transmission in the state rose above 1. Under the law signed by Murphy last month, once the rate of transmission goes above one, the governor is automatically granted pandemic level powers.
On Monday, Murphy reported that the rate of transmission was 1.37. Murphy blamed the increase on the unvaccinated, saying they are the segment of the population feeding the rapid increase in the rate of transmission which was at .57 just a month ago.
“This is being fueled because of the rapid spread among the unvaccinated,” Murphy said. “We now only have a pandemic among the unvaccinated. Let’s end this. If you have not gotten vaccinated, please go out and do so.”
New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli doubled down on the shaming of the unvaccinated in the state.
“Despite New Jersey’s successful vaccination program, many residents are still unvaccinated which is leading to increases in cases and hospitalizations in our state,” Persichilli said. “New Jersey has seen a 20% increase in unvaccinated patients in our hospital. These hospitalizations are preventable.”
Persichilli said the vaccines available in New Jersey are safe and effective and said the increase in the delta variant is driving new cases in adults and children.
“We are concerned,” Persichilli said, adding that two children in Mississippi are on ventilators. “Cases in children under 12 have increased in New Jersey.”
Persichilli said COVID-19 is increasing in children by 29% among those age 4 and under. In the 5 to 10 years of age, the case rate has increased by 15%. In 10-11-year-olds, cases have increased 36%.