Gov. Murphy: NJ Coronavirus Cases Top 11K, 32 More Deaths

NEW JERSEY – The number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey has topped 11,000 and 140 people have died of the virus, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Saturday during his daily update. He also reported that New Jersey had its highest one-day death toll.

There were 32 deaths across the state overnight, the highest one-day death total since the first person died on March 10. (You can watch Murphy's news conference below.)

Murphy made the revelation as President Trump said he may be issuing travel restrictions for residents of New Jersey. Read more: Trump Considers NJ Travel Restrictions Due To Coronavirus

Murphy, who had a one-on-one call with Trump on Friday, said the possibility of restrictions did not come up.

"I literally saw the story as I was walking into this room," he said. "There's no question the greater New York area is the No. 1 hotspot in America right now, in terms of number of cases."

"We're going to keep doing what we're doing in terms of social distancing and flattening the curve" until the state is given specific instructions.

On Saturday, there were 2,289 new positive test results, bringing the total to 11,124 cases in the state, he said.

Murphy stressed the need for people to adhere to the stay-at-home order, saying some people continue to ignore the directive.

A party in Ewing with more than 40 people in 550-square-foot room, complete with a DJ, was broken up on Friday night, he said. The organizer was charged, "as he should be," Murphy said.

"This is not a game," Murphy said. "It is absolutely critical that you stay home." Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the 32 people who died ranged from 30 years old to 100; 12 of them had underlying health conditions, she said. None of those who died were in long-term care facilities; 71 of the state's 375 long-term care facilities now have at least one resident who is positive for the coronavirus.

Persichilli said they have been receiving information on total tests run with about 95 percent of the private labs participating in that. The participating labs have reported 29,822 tests performed with 10,436 positive results, or 34.99 percent positives.

She did not have details on how many of the 11,124 positive cases across the state involve people who are hospitalized. That information is expected to be gathered in the coming days as state officials try to ensure hospitals that need critical-care equipment, including beds and ventilators, have it.

Murphy and Persichilli said the efforts to manage critical-care needs and get personal protective equipment to health care personnel are ongoing, through requests to the federal government as well as through private efforts and requests for donations.

"It's getting more than a little tight with ventilators," Persichilli said. There are several avenues being pursued. The state requested 400 ventilators from the federal government and received 200 from the national stockpile, she said; 65 have been sent out to hospitals in need.

"Hospitals are working with each other moving equipment around," she said, and discussions are underway on using ventilators to treat two patients at a time.

Murphy said the state also has set up north, central and south regions of the state to manage needs.

For PPE, the state received a shipment overnight of thousands of items from the national stockpile. New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan said those included nearly 121,000 N95 masks, 287,000 surgical masks, 51,000 surgical gowns, 3,500 coveralls, 368,000 gloves and 1,000 medical beds. More than 3,700 offers to donate equipment have come in from across the state.

Callahan said a FEMA representative promised additional help as needed.

"We have gotten some of our requests from the national stockpile but not nearly what we need," Murphy said. "I will continue burning up the phone lines to the White House" for additional support.

Murphy also announced that the state had reached agreements with five major banks — Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase and U.S. Bank — along with 40 New Jersey institutions to provide mortgage relief for those affected financially by the coronavirus shutdowns. Those agreements include a 90-day grace period, no negative credit reporting, and no late fees, he said.

Watch Murphy's news conference here:

Persichilli gave the following breakdown of the new cases by county:

• Atlantic 4
• Bergen 250
• Burlington 27
• Camden 28
• Cumberland 2
• Essex 197
• Gloucester 8
• Hudson 155
• Hunterdon 7
• Mercer 36
• Middlesex 126
• Monmouth 122
• Morris 42
• Ocean 86
• Passaic 88
• Somerset 29
• Sussex 13
• Union 132
• Warren 9

There were 928 cases where they were still gathering information to categorize them by county.

Of the 32 deaths, there were seven each in Bergen and Union counties, five in Middlesex County, three in Morris, two each in Hudson, Passaic and Essex, and one each in Ocean, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.

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Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• A new report from ProPublica says New Jersey hospitals would be hard pressed to meet demand – even in a best-case scenario – if the coronavirus outbreak surges. Read more: NJ Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
  

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.