NJ Coronavirus: 590 New Cases, 4 More Deaths Reported On Sunday

NEW JERSEY – The number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey is now approaching 2,000 following Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement that 590 more cases were reported on Sunday, along with four more deaths. The case number was the highest count reported on any day in New Jersey since the outbreak began.

The total number of cases in New Jersey is now 1,914, and 20 people have died because of the coronavirus.

"This is what we expected," Murphy said. "We knew when we opened up testing we would have bigger numbers."

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the 20 deaths involved people in an age range from 30 to 98. The median age is 73.

The four additional deaths reported on Sunday involved the following people:

• A man in his 90s in Bergen County
• A man in his 80s in Essex County
• A woman in her 90s in Middlesex
• A man in his 70s in Somerset

Persichilli also provided a county-by-county breakdown of the new cases:

• Atlantic 1
• Bergen 94
• Burlington 5
• Camden 7
• Essex 65
• Gloucester 2
• Hudson 29
• Hunterdon 2
• Mercer 10
• Middlesex 31
• Monmouth 66
• Morris 55
• Ocean 39
• Passaic 29
• Salem 1
• Somerset 17
• Sussex 6
• Union 42
• Warren 4

The state Department of Health is still gathering information on 85 cases.

Perischilli says state may place restrictions on elective surgery and ambulatory services as hospitals and emergency personnel deal with the increasing number of cases.

The update comes a day after New Jersey issued a "stay-at-home" order, closing all non-essential businesses. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said he's "damned unhappy" about reports that people in Lakewood and at some businesses, such as GameStop, have allegedly violated his stay-at-home order. His administration has directed deputy generals and prosecutors to be on call 24/7, and to be ready to deal with potential violators.

"We are really damned unhappy and we're going to take action," Murphy said. "We don't win a war by putting your feet up. You win it because everybody rows the boat together."

The Bergen Community College FEMA test site for COVID-19, meanwhile, hit capacity on Sunday and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday. Read more: Bergen County's Coronavirus Test Site Already At Capacity

Murphy also is urging those who have homes at the Jersey Shore to not go to them at this time. Read more: Gov. Murphy Urges Part-Time Residents Not To Visit Jersey Shore

Murphy also has signed 16 bills into law that he says will help the state deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: NJ Gov. Phil Murphy Signs 16 Coronavirus Bills Into Law

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

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," 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
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• 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
• After two FEMA sites opened, officials said five more counties will be getting coronavirus testing sites. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

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.

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. This includes:

• 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.