COVID-19 Hospitalizations Spike As NJ Braces For Omicron Variant

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has hit a seven-week high in COVID-19 related hospitalizations as the state braces for the arrival of the new, omicron coronavirus variant, state officials said Monday afternoon.

To date, New Jersey reported 950 residents were hospitalized due to COVID-19, including 906 confirmed cases, according to the State Department of Health. There were 193 residents in intensive care and 99 on ventilators.

There were nine COVID-19-related deaths in hospitals, 143 new patients were admitted and 88 were discharged. It’s the highest number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations since Oct. 4, when 1,074 residents were hospitalized.

There were just 627 hospitalizations reported as of Nov. 8, before hospitalizations began to increase again. Last Monday, there were 816 New Jersey residents in the hospital due to COVID-19.

“This is the most we’ve had in our hospitals in seven weeks,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “But on Nov. 28 of last year, the number was 2,908, which is more than three times the amount of folks in the hospital today. The ICU and ventilator counts, new COVID-positive admissions and in-hospital deaths all from one year ago were also more than triple what they were yesterday.”

He said the difference is that vaccinations are now available. As of Monday, 6,172,941 New Jersey residents had been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

He also said the spike in cases and the likely arrival of the omicron variant wouldn't have an impact on hospital operations, specifically when it comes to elective surgeries.

"I had surgery for a malignant tumor, and I found out later that would have been considered elective," Murphy said in response to a reporter's question Monday. "That's certainly not the way I saw it. So that's a pretty Draconian step, and we're not remotely there."

Overall, 1,843 new cases and five new deaths were reported Monday. This brings the totals to 1,084,414 cases and 25,521 deaths in New Jersey since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Statewide transmission was 1.18, and the positivity rate was 9.23, although Murphy said that number was likely fueled by people getting tested on Thanksgiving. Most people get tested on a holiday because they are more than likely positive, he said.

The new cases and hospitalizations are being spurred by the delta variant, but the new variant appears on its way to the United States and to New Jersey.

The omicron variant was first identified in South Africa last week, and Murphy on Monday expressed concerns about its inevitable arrival in New Jersey.

The omicron variant has already resulted in a new travel ban that took effect Monday. Murphy said he is concerned about flights from South Africa, which is one of the countries covered by the ban put in place by President Joe Biden over the weekend.

"We're speaking to the White House today," Murphy said on Monday. "It's something we're watching very closely. It's definitely a time to be mindful of where you're going." Read more here: COVID Omicron Variant Prompts NJ Travel, Masking Changes

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