Summit Lost Two Residents To Coronavirus In January

SUMMIT, NJ – Summit released a summary of its coronavirus cases this week, noting the loss of two residents, ages 58 and 61.

The Westfield Regional Health Department reported a total of 263 positive COVID-19 cases in Summit for the month, bringing the total to 1,234 since the start of the pandemic. That means that a fifth of the town's cases occurred in the last month.

Earlier this week, the mayor of nearby Westfield said that for the eight municipalities served by the Westfield Regional Health Department, the department investigated 1,439 cases of COVID — representing 24 percent of the total cases since March. The last two months combined have accounted for 44 percent of the total cases.

Of recent cases investigated in Summit by the Regional Health Department, age breakdowns are as follows:

• 48 cases ages 18 and younger;
• 52 cases ages 19 to 29;
• 31 cases ages 30 to 39;
• 34 cases ages 40 to 49;
• 44 cases ages 50 to 59;
• 33 cases ages 60 to 69;
• 13 cases ages 70 to 79;
• 5 cases ages 80 to 89;
• 3 cases ages 90 to 99.

Total case numbers are updated and adjusted weekly following contact tracing interviews. Here is the information about exposures:

• 88 cases without available information;
• 64 cases report no known exposure;
• 34 cases unable to contact;
• 33 cases with positive household contacts;
• 19 cases with a known exposure;
• Four cases exposed at work;
• Six cases refused to be interviewed;
• Three cases were hospitalized (ages 65, 54 and 21);
• Five cases associated with long-term care or congregate living;
• Six cases associated with travel.

Summit has a population of approximately 22,000 residents.

Mayor Phil Murphy said in a press conference Tuesday morning that there was good and bad news in terms of coronavirus in New Jersey.

He said that in the last day, 71 more fatalities were confirmed in New Jersey, and 3,367 new positive cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours. Hospitals in the state are currently treating 2,892 covid patients, with 516 in ICU and 366 on ventilators, he said.

"Each of those numbers — and those are the ones we have to watch like a hawk — continue slowly but surely to head down. Absent what impact these [virus] variants may have, that is very, very good news. And obviously, we're watching the whole scene, especially the variants, like a hawk."

But he said that during the storm on Monday, 254 patients were released from hospitals after battling the virus, and 297 were admitted. Read more: Gov. Murphy Urges NJ To Stay Home In Snow

The total death toll from the virus in New Jersey is now 19,455.

As of Wednesday, 450,000 Americans had died of coronavirus.

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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