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TRENTON – Citing a continued decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Gov. Phil Murphy said May 15 that he would rescind his March 23 ban on elective surgeries and certain invasive procedures.
Also, beginning May 25he state’s hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers will be able to begin procedures like hip or knee replacements and colonoscopies.
Murphy said there would be a new normal for these procedures, with the Department of Health scheduled to release guidance May 18.
Hospitals have push for relief from the ban, as their expenses mount from the fight with COVID-19 and their revenues nosedive. These procedures are a significant percentage of a hospital’s annual revenue. Hospitals and medical centers across the state have experienced a significant financial burden as beds went empty and procedures were postponed.
At the time of the ban, the state was facing shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The move to postpone elective procedures was in part an attempt to redirect supplies to the struggle with COVID-19.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?