By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton Health Department was notified today, May 8, of three additional COVID-19 deaths, which were previously noted as probable coronavirus deaths, but now confirmed by laboratory testing. Two of the deaths were from Princeton Care Center and one from Acorn Glen. The total number of reported COVID-19-related deaths in Princeton is now 14. About half of New Jersey’s confirmed coronavirus cases have been in long-term care facilities.

Backlogged reports from diagnostic laboratories over the past 24 hours resulted in a large bump in the total COVID-19 case count. With 16 additional positives, according to the Princeton Health Department,  Princeton has 157 confirmed cases, with 73 active positive cases and 63 recovered with isolation complete.

In his press briefing today, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reported another 162 COVID-19-related deaths in New Jersey  for a total of 8,952, and 1,985 new positive tests in the past 24 hours for a total of  at least 135,454 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey overall.

Murphy emphasized that the number of coronavirus patients in New Jersey hospitals has dropped below 5,000 for the first time in five weeks. As of Thursday night there were 4,764 New Jersey hospital patients with COVID-19 or suspected of having the virus, 1,439 in critical or intensive care and 1,089 on ventilators, both also declining numbers.

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in New Jersey is down 1,000 from last Friday and more than 40 percent less than at its peak in mid-April, according to Murphy.

Murphy continued to urge New Jersey residents to stay at home when possible and to practice vigilant social distancing, with face masks in public, in order to help continue to slow the spread of the virus. With Memorial Day weekend in just two weeks, Murphy is considering whether to lift further restrictions in the near lockdown of state businesses and facilities.

The NJDOH reported today that 5,111 Mercer County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and there have been 322 COVID-19-related deaths in the County.

As of May 6, Princeton University’s Health Services reported that they were aware of 48 students who have tested positive, three who were tested on campus and 45 off-campus students.  Thirty-seven University employees have tested positive for COVID-19. All student and employee cases are in self-isolation and are receiving appropriate treatment or have recovered and discontinued isolation.

Actual numbers of COVID-19 infections, locally and statewide, probably far surpass confirmed case numbers because of testing back-ups and the fact that the state is testing only symptomatic residents.

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