Gov. Murphy: Big Tracing, Test Steps As Coronavirus Deaths Top 5K

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Wednesday news conference, said New Jersey is making big strides in two areas that will help the state reopen: contact tracing and testing. Murphy spoke as the state's coronavirus death toll passed 5,000 (you can watch it live here, below).

New Jersey's death toll has now risen to 5,063 and the state has had a total of 95,865 coronavirus cases. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said New York, Connecticut and New Jersey are working on a contact tracing program that includes "not just necessary human components but a technological one as well." Tracing COVID-19 to its points of contact, he said, will help contain the coronavirus.

Murphy said the contact tracing is in its "very early stages" but "we all recognize that robust contact tracing in addition to that testing protocol is vital to any serious reopening efforts."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced Michael Bloomberg will help coordinate and fund the tri-state area's contact tracing program. Read more: Michael Bloomberg To Lead Tri-State Coronavirus Tracing Program

Murphy also said New Jersey now has 86 testing sites statewide, and many of the lines have gotten much shorter than they did when they opened.

"We started as a nation with both arms tied behind our backs and a fraction of the resources," Murphy said. "In New Jersey we have cobbled it together."

At the same time, Murphy said New Jersey "is not even close to claiming victory" and that the state will need to maintain its hospital capacity if there is a "second wave" of the virus in the fall and winter.

"We want to make sure we are prepared as much as possible for that eventuality," he said.

Murphy also paid tribute to some of the victims who died:

Watch Murphy here:

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Here's what else you should know:

• 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
• Murphy, speaking during a Thursday, April 16 press conference, said schools will remain closed through May 15. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Shut Through May 15 In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• 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
• 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
• 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 New Jersey 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
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
• 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

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.