The spread of the delta variant could slow down the national and state-level economic recovery. But an economic downturn of the magnitude of what occurred in March and April last year is unlikely, according to many economic experts. “The general view is it wouldn’t be anything like last year,” said Charles Steindel, the state’s former chief economist.

The 361-bed Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck was widely regarded as among New Jersey’s first epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. And so while CEO Michael Maron contends the latest surges in the delta variant are indeed worrisome, they’re by no means a reason to “create an alarmist narrative,” which he’s seen circulating in public.  “This to me is one of the real concerns I have,” he said in an interview. “There’s a lot of misinformation.”

According to the latest data from the New Jersey Health Department, the state logged 1,017 new instances on Thursday, a mark not recorded since May 8.

Beginning Aug. 4, businesses that received up to $150,000 from the federal Paycheck Protection Program can apply directly with the U.S. Small Business Administration for relief.

“[Y]ou have to take into account the reality of what your state looks like, and a national recommendation may or may not be consistent with the facts on the ground,” the governor said during his regular COVID-19 press briefing on July 26.

The deadline for full inoculation and completion of the second dose is Oct. 15.

The Empire State is asking for $10.5 billion out of a combined $14.2 billion allocated for It, New Jersey and Connecticut. If granted,the Garden State could risk missing out on upward of $600 million for NJ Transit, which has seen its ridership levels pummeled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy formally lifted the indoor mask mandate in late May for anyone fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But the highly contagious Delta variant has swept across the nation and the state, primarily among those who have not gotten the vaccine.

The aid includes $55 million to microbusinesses, $15 million to bars and restaurants, $10 million to child care facilities, $10 million to arts and culture groups, and $45 million to other small businesses and nonprofits. 

As of July 21, the state logged 655 new cases of the virus. Hospitalizations rose above 300 for the first time in a month and new cases hit peak levels not seen since May, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Health.

As part of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program, run by the NJEDA, businesses and nonprofits hit by the pandemic can apply for loans of up to $100,000, which last 10 years with a 0% interest rate and deferred payments for the first two years.

There were 338 COVID-19 patients in New Jersey’s 71 hospitals as of July 18, of which 58 were in intensive care and 29 were on ventilators. But state health officials maintain that those  numbers are “lagging indicators,” meaning it could be days or weeks before they reflect the virus's current extent.