Latest four COVID-19 cases in Princeton linked to school, university, social events

Four people in Princeton have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past seven days, and a total of eight people in Princeton have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past 14 days, officials said on Monday afternoon.

The local health officer said the last four COVID-19 cases investigated by the Princeton Health Department have been people under the age of 25. All four cases have been linked to school, university, and social events.

Rowan University has seen a surge in cases, mostly at off-campus housing locations. State officials said on Monday at the governor’s regular press briefing that they have not been able to trace the spread of COVID-19 to any single event at Rowan.

“There have been some parties and other things,” said Ed Lifshitz, medical director for the Department of Health Communicable Disease Service. “Any time you have large groups of young people gathering you expect that to happen. Although we certainly are encouraging that not to happen.”

Off-campus parties have been a concern in Princeton and surrounding communities. More than two dozen students contracted COVID-19 at a sorority party in Ewing recently.

Asked two weeks ago how area colleges and universities are handling students in off-campus housing or what policies are in place, if any, when students renting private homes are hosting large parties, spokespeople for area institutions did not respond to requests for comment.

The Princeton Public Schools began the school year with all-remote learning on Monday, but varsity athletes at the high school were allowed to begin official practices and competition.

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in six counties in the state, six school districts have altered plans this week and shifted to all-remote learning.

Local, county, and state statistics

A total of 224 people in Princeton have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March. Eighteen deaths due to complications from COVID-19 have been confirmed, and another 12 deaths in Princeton are considered probable COVID-19 deaths.

Other Princeton COVID-19 demographics:

Men: 101, Women: 123 (confirmed positive COVID-19 cases)

29 people who live in Princeton have been hospitalized so far due to COVID-19 complications. Four of those people died.

10 healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19.

8 non-resident first responders who work in Princeton have tested positive for COVID-19.

Age breakdown
5 cases under age 11
6 cases ages 12-17
18 cases ages 18-25
17 cases ages 26-35
44 cases ages 36-45
29 cases ages 46-55
25 cases ages 56-65
17 cases ages 66-75
21 cases ages 76-85
40 cases ages 86 and older

In Princeton, 55 percent of the COVID-19 confirmed cases are non-Hispanic white residents, 25 percent are Hispanic residents, 16 percent are Asian residents, and four percent are Black residents.

The state has received positive COVID-19 test results for 196,968 residents since early March. A total of 14,245 deaths in the state due to complications from COVID-19 have been confirmed. At least another 1,789 deaths in the state are considered probable COVID-19 deaths. The racial breakdown of COVID-19 deaths: 54.1 percent white residents, 18.3 percent Black residents, 20.3 Hispanic residents, 5.5 percent Asian residents, and 1.8 percent other races.

On Sunday night, there were 420 patients in New Jersey hospitals who were COVID-19 positive or probable cases. Ninety-one patients were in critical care, and 45 percent of those patients were on ventilators. The state has confirmed a total of 57 cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children during the pandemic. 

For Mercer County, the state received another seven positive COVID-19 test results on Monday. The state has received a total of 8,498 confirmed COVID-19 test results for Mercer County since early March. A total of 598 deaths in the county have been confirmed to be due to complications from COVID-19, and another 36 deaths of county residents are considered probable COVID-19 related deaths.

For Middlesex County, the state received another 28 positive COVID-19 test results on Monday. The state has received a total of 18,870 confirmed COVID-19 test results for Middlesex County since early March. A total of 1,220 deaths in the county have been confirmed to be due to complications from COVID-19, and another 202 deaths of county residents are considered probable COVID-19 related deaths.

For Somerset County, the state received another 20 positive COVID-19 test results on Monday. The state has received a total of 5,575 confirmed COVID-19 test results for Somerset County since early March. A total of 494 deaths in the county have been confirmed to be due to complications from COVID-19, and another 74 deaths of county residents are considered probable COVID-19 related deaths.

For Hunterdon County, the state received another 9 positive COVID-19 test results on Monday. The state has received a total of 1,246 confirmed COVID-19 test results for Hunterdon County since early March. A total of 71 deaths in the county have been confirmed to be due to complications from COVID-19, and another 54 deaths of county residents are considered probable COVID-19 related deaths.