New Jersey Sees Increase In Rate Of Coronavirus Transmission, Outbreaks Related To Travel To Hotspots
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- As New Jersey continues to move forward with its coronavirus response and reopening, Gov. Phil Murphy warned of a troubling new sign on Monday.
He said the state is seeing its highest rate of virus transmission in 10 weeks, and now every infected resident is giving the virus to at least one other person, CBS2's Alice Gainer reported.
WATCH: Gov. Phil Murphy Gives Coronavirus Briefing
Murphy said he believes the new outbreaks are tied to travel.
"Over the weekend we learned of several outbreaks across our state directly tied to travel to other COVID-19 hotspots nationwide," Murphy said.
We've learned of several outbreaks across our state DIRECTLY TIED to travel to other #COVID19 hotspots nationwide.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 6, 2020
☑️Hoboken: 12/13 new cases are directly tied to travel to known hotspots
☑️North Jersey: Several new cases are tied to people who went to a wedding in Myrtle Beach
He said of the 13 new cases reported over the weekend in Hoboken, 12 are directly tied to travel. In another example, the governor said several cases in North Jersey were tied to a wedding in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Murphy said these cases present an urgent reminder of the need to self-quarantine and wearing face coverings.
"This means increasing rate of spread statewide. This is an early warning sign that, quite frankly, we need to do more," he said.
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NJ Transit rail and light rail service resumed a full weekday schedule. At Newark Penn, some felt there were too many people on board trains.
"Literally, there were people on top of each other. I had to ask several times to move back," commuter Alana Alston said.
Others said they noticed that not everyone was wearing a mask.
"In the rare cases where this happens and customers are not wearing their masks, our frontline professionals remind our customers to wear their masks. If there is a failure to comply, police assistance can be called in," NJ Transit spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said.
Murphy is reminding everyone to make sure the state doesn't take a step back.
"I do not want to hit another pause on our restart because a small number of New Jerseyeans are being irresponsible and spreading COVID-19, while the rest of us continue to try and stop it," Murphy said.
CORONAVIRUS: NY Health Dept. | NY Call 1-(888)-364-3065 | NYC Health Dept. | NYC Call 311, Text COVID to 692692 | NJ COVID-19 Info Hub | NJ Call 1-(800)-222-1222 or 211, Text NJCOVID to 898211 | CT Health Dept. | CT Call 211 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Not all the news was worrisome. The class of 2020 can finally celebrate in New Jersey.
Schools in the state can begin holding outdoor graduation ceremonies of up to 500 people.
Youth summer camps and in-person summer school were allowed to resume Monday.