Latest Madison Coronavirus Updates

MADISON, NJ - The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak in New Jersey and across the nation is having vast impacts in Madison, including the closure of schools and many businesses.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

The number of cases of the illness caused by the virus, known as COVID-19, continue to rise and additional measures and closures continue to be announced. An Atlantic Health employees has expressed her concerns over being working during the pandemic and a study says the peak of coronavirus infections may come sooner rather than later.

The Department of Health has also posted data and statistics including hospitalization age groups, county totals and illnesses by onset date.

A drive-thru coronavirus testing center was opened at the County College of Morris.

Boxcar, a commuting service has set up contactless food pick-ups in town.

SCHOOLS

All schools in New Jersey will remain closed through at least May 4 in response to the new coronavirus outbreak, state officials said.

BUSINESSES

• Restaurants, reeling amid the crisis, andsome locals have banded together to not only support them but to feed the front line fighting the pandemic.
• Patch has also begun an initiative to allow local businesses to let their patrons know their availability and how they can support them.

HOSPITALS

• Many have leapt in to help provide personal protection equipment to local hospitals. This comes amidst reports there might not be enough beds available for patients.
• In Morristown, the rehab center on Mt. Kemble Avenue has been repurposed to treat coronavirus patients.

Here's what you should know as New Jersey is making big decisions on deadlines for schools, taxes, phone and cable bills that are coming quickly. Read more: Schools, Taxes, Internet: Big Decisions For NJ Amid Coronavirus

Also, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are joining a coalition of seven states hardest hit by the new coronavirus, forming a task force for a regional approach to reopen their states in the wake of the outbreak. Read more: NJ, PA Join Regional Coronavirus Reopening Council

In an Easter Sunday interview with CBS News, Murphy also warned against reopening the economy too early without a "complete healthcare recovery," warning that if the nation moved too soon, "I fear, based on the data we're looking at, we could be throwing gasoline on the fire."

"America's most influential coronavirus model" predicts that the peak of coronavirus cases in NJ is close. It also estimated fatalities. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Peak Is Likely Soon, New Projection Shows

Gov. Phil Murphy offered some insight into how long the coronavirus crisis may last in New Jersey just as he was providing an update to the outbreak's toll on Monday: 3,663 new cases and 86 more deaths. The numbers marked the second day in a row that the numbers were much lower than the outbreak's worst day on Saturday.

Here are four urgent tasks New Jersey wants you to do during the coronavirus outbreak, including wearing a mask. And here's why. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak

Other Notes:

• 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
• 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
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy also has announced the launch of a new online portal to connect New Jersey residents with jobs in critical industries responding to COVID-19. Read more: Companies ARE Hiring: NJ Launches Online Job Portal
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• Murphy has emphasized the need to wear a mask or face covering when going out in public. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak
• Local police also have been cracking down on gatherings of people in certain towns. Read more: Police Identify Rumson Man Who They Say Hosted Pink Floyd Party
• New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand. Read more: Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In NJ
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of NJ businesses – including gun sellers – to operate in the coronavirus outbreak. What's open and closed now? Read more: What's Open, Closed? More NJ Business To Operate Amid Coronavirus

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.