By Donald Gilpin

Two more COVID-19-related deaths, the seventh and eighth in Princeton, were reported today, April 27, by the Princeton Health Department (PHD). The victims were two men, both with pre-existing medical conditions, one in his 70s, the other in his 80s. Neither was at a long-term care facility.

The sixth death in Princeton from COVID-19 was reported yesterday, April 26. The victim was a female in her 70s, the first coronavirus-related death of a resident of the Acorn Glen assisted living facility.

There have been four deaths at the Princeton Care Center.

The PHD also reported today a total of 110 total COVID-19 cases in Princeton, with 61 active cases in isolation and 45 cases that have recovered.

In his press briefing today,  New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reported 111,188 total cases of COVID-19 in the state, with an additional 2,146 positive tests in the past 24 hours, and an additional 106 COVID-19-related deaths for a total of 6,044 deaths in New Jersey, though he cautioned that there may be some reporting delays in the numbers of cases and deaths.

Murphy noted signs that the pandemic is leveling off, with hospitals reporting continuing declines in numbers of COVID-19 patients, confirmed or suspected. After declining for the sixth straight day, the number of New Jersey patients, 6,407 as of Sunday night, is down 23 percent from its April 14 peak.

Murphy declined to offer a timetable for the lifting of restrictions, but he presented a six-point recovery plan, proceeding from health concerns to economic concerns. His plan to restart New Jersey, “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” requires sustained reductions in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations for a 14-day period, significantly expanded testing in the state, widespread contact tracing, safe places for quarantine and isolation with needed support services, a responsible restart of the economy, and ensured resiliency so that the state is prepared for the possibility of a resurgence.

The New Jersey Department of Health reported today, April 27, a total of 194 COVID-19-related deaths in Mercer County and at least 3,433 residents who have tested positive.

Because coronavirus testing is backed up several days and the state is testing only symptomatic residents, the actual numbers of COVID-19 infections probably far surpass those confirmed case numbers, according to Princeton Public Health Officer Jeff Grosser.

For more information, visit princetoncovid.org or covid19.nj.gov.