COVID-19: Asymptomatic testing begins; numbers decline
By GWEN OREL
orel@montclairlocal.news
Today, Sunday, May 10, two sites in New Jersey have made testing available for people who are asymptomatic for COVID-19. Previously, people needed a doctor's note to receive a test. The test sites are Bergen Community College and PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Priority is given to health care providers, people in congregate living settings, and people who had come into contact with someone who had COVID-19.
Testing at home for antibodies has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, although the date has not yet been announced. RUCDR Infinite Biologics, which is affiliated with Rutgers University, has developed an at-home saliva testing kit for COVID-19.
As on previous Sundays, Gov. Murphy did not hold a live press briefing today.
Beginning tomorrow, Monday, May 11, people who have recovered from COVID-19 will be able to donate plasma at two new collection sites in Essex County. The plasma collection sites will be at the Red Cross building in Fairfield, and University Hospital in Newark.
Residents who wish to become donors may apply through the Red Cross’s website.
TODAY'S NUMBERS
Positive tests and mortalities in New Jersey appear to be on the decline, according to the New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard.
The number of total new cases announced on the dashboard are 138,532, up 1,447 from the total of 137,085. However, that increase is less than Saturday's increase of 1,759 new cases, and Friday's of 1,985.
The positivity rate reveals a slight decline, 38.2 percent on Sunday, down from 38.7 percent Saturday.
The numbers also reveal 139 deaths, which is fewer than the 166 reported yesterday. The state total of deaths, according to the dashboard, is 9,255.
Essex County remains the county that has the most mortalities, with 1,423. It has the third-highest number of positive cases, with 15,524 (following Hudson County, 16,822, and Bergen County, 16,929).
The township Health Department reports that the confirmed number of COVID-19 cases in Montclair increased from yesterday's count of 387 to 391; the number of individuals who did not survive the illness increased from 45 to 46.
Essex County Coronavirus Cases
Updated: Sunday, May 10, 2020
Cumulative Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Deaths
Essex County, NJ
Municipality
5/9/20 5pm 5/10/20 9am Deaths 5/10/20
am
Belleville 889 886 53
Bloomfield 949 950 50
Caldwell 101 104 6
Cedar Grove 365 370 90
East Orange 1659 1670 156
Essex Fells 18 18 2
Fairfield 124 125 16
Glen Ridge 34 35 8
Irvington 1217 1217 132
Livingston 426 426 58
Maplewood 266 268 23
Millburn 129 127 5
Montclair 378 382 39
Newark 6245 6293 488
North Caldwell 39 39 4
Nutley 454 456 30
Orange 773 780 62
Roseland 76 76 14
South Orange 89 89 4
Verona 112 111 11
West Caldwell 195 196 36
West Orange 1030 1028 140
Total 15568 15646 1427
Negative tests (County) 18643 19099
Statewide positive 137085
Statewide deaths 9116