New Jersey health officials are “very concerned” after active COVID-19 outbreaks at nursing homes throughout the state exceeded 100 this week.
Increasing coronavirus cases in long-term care facilities have been reported in several states over the last few weeks, including in Vermont, North Carolina, Texas and Colorado, thanks at least in part to the delta variant.
“We are seeing a continuing rise in the number of outbreaks in nursing homes: 113 active outbreaks today,” Judith Persichilli, the state’s health commissioner, said Monday. “That’s very concerning because we know that immune systems weaken with age.”
A total of 279 staff members and 304 residents are currently infected with COVID-19 throughout the state’s approximately 570 long-term care facilities.
Persichilli also said the state is “working with” the nursing home industry to develop a plan to distribute booster shots to all facilities as cases rise.
The increase in cases comes weeks after Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all long-term care workers to get inoculated or be subject to weekly testing. Currently, about 93% of residents and 74.2% of staff in the state are vaccinated against COVID.
