SOUTH BRUNSWICK – For the first time since June 14, South Brunswick has seen its weekly positive cases of COVID-19 in the double digits, with 17 new cases reported last week.
This is also the highest weekly increase since May, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management on Sept. 14.
There are a number of factors they may explain the increase, officials said: 70% of the new cases are college-aged people. The Health Department advised that college students who test positive, no matter where they are attending college, may still have their results listed under their hometown. Therefore, this increase may reflect South Brunswick students away at college, and not necessarily an increase in the community, according to the statement.
The average age of the 17 people who tested positive last week was 34 years of age, according to reports.
In addition to those 17 new cases, officials were informed of four additional cases confirmed from previous months, bringing the total number of COVID positive cases in South Brunswick to 513. This number reflects both residents and people living in long-term care facilities in the township, according to the statement.
Middlesex County Health Department advised officials that there are no additional deaths connected to COVID. Currently, 32 township residents passed away from the virus, 17 men and 15 women. The average age of the persons who passed away from the virus in South Brunswick is 76. Half of all the people who passed away were living in or connected to long-term care facilities, according to the statement.
Statewide, 420 people are currently hospitalized from COVID, down from a high of more than 8,000 in April, according to the Sept. 14 statement. Testing results still take an extended period of time in many cases. Some results can take up to a week to come back.
Middlesex County has a total of 18,842 residents who have tested positive.
The New Jersey State Department of Health website, https://covid19.nj.gov, provides a daily update on county and state COVID case changes.
The use of social distancing and properly worn face coverings has made an impact on the number of positive cases, officials said.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK COVID TRACKING NUMBERS
| Week | Positive Residents | Average Age | Male / Female | Under Age of 18 |
| 03/15 to 03/21 | 7 | |||
| 03/22 to 03/28 | 20 | |||
| 03/29 to 04/04 | 28 | |||
| 04/05 to 04/11 | 90 | 44 years old | 42 male, 58 female | 1 |
| 04/12 to 04/18 | 63 | |||
| 04/19 to 04/25 | 79 | |||
| 04/26 to 05/02 | 63 | |||
| 05/03 to 05/09 | 25 | |||
| 05/10 to 05/16 | 23 | |||
| 05/17 to 05/23 | 15 | |||
| 05/24 to 05/30 | 10 | 45 years old | 4 male, 6 female | 1 |
| 05/31 to 06/06 | 1 | 80 years old | 0 male, 1 female | 0 |
| 06/07 to 06/13 | 10 | 31 years old | 4 male, 6 female | 3 |
| 06/14 to 06/20 | 4 | 51 years old | 2 male, 2 female | 0 |
| 06/21 to 06/27 | 6 | 58 years old | 3 male, 3 female | 0 |
| 06/28 to 07/04 | 5 | 69 years old | 2 male, 3 female | 0 |
| 07/05 to 07/11 | 3 | 35 years old | 2 male, 1 female | 0 |
| 07/12 to 07/18 | 4 | 22 years old | 2 male, 2 female | 0 |
| 07/19 to 07/25 | 3 | 31 years old | 1 male, 2 female | 1 |
| 07/26 to 08/01 | 9 | 40 years old | 3 male, 4 female | 1 |
| 08/02 to 08/08 | 4 | 33 years old | 3 male, 1 female | 0 |
| 08/09 to 08/15 | 6 | 43 years old | 4 male, 2 female | 0 |
| 08/16 to 08/22 | 9 | 25 years old | 7 male, 2 female | 0 |
| 08/23 to 08/29 | 3 | 28 years old | 1 male, 2 female | 0 |
| 08/30 to 09/05 | 5 | 46 years old | 4 male, 1 female | 0 |
| 09/06 to 09/13 | 17 | 34 years old | 8 male, 9 female | 1 |
Middlesex County has been operating both drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites. Those wishing to be tested will be required to make an appointment online and meet a set of criteria. More information, including the link to make an appointment, can be found at www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/PSH/Pages/COVID-19–Testing.aspxn
Or, call 732-745-3100 to make an appointment beginning at 10 a.m. on registration days. Appointments will only be made on registration days, which are also listed online. Call-in registrations will not be accepted on Sundays.