The number of daily new coronavirus cases in Paterson has declined for the fifth consecutive day, according to municipal government data.
Thirty new infections were reported on Tuesday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 5,213. Daily new infections began to decline on May 1. However, the number of new cases could spike as a result of expanded testing in the city.
Mayor Andre Sayegh has announced two non-governmental testing sites. One began operating on Monday, testing more than 200 people, and another is expected to begin operation on Wednesday, according to the mayor.
“We’re expanding access,” the mayor said in announcing the second testing site scheduled to open at the Aqel Medical Center parking lot on Crooks Avenue.
The Paterson Housing Authority on Tuesday began to test senior citizens at six of its buildings. Irma Gorham, director of the Paterson Housing Authority, said she expects to cover all six buildings by Friday.
“If our case load increases as a result of increasing access to testing, my team will continue to do the disease investigations and contact tracing in a timely manner. We are prepared, capable and ready,” said public health officer Paul Persaud. “I am very confident that our Communicable Disease Strike Team played a major role in helping to reduce disease transmission in Paterson.”
Number of deaths from Covid-19 in Paterson increased by five on Tuesday to 180.
Paterson has the biggest outbreak of the virus in Passaic County.
Passaic County has 13,797 infections with 663 deaths. Overall, New Jersey had 130,593 cases with 8,244 fatalities on Tuesday.
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