Gov. Murphy: NJ Has Largest Coronavirus Death Toll In One Day

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey had its largest number of coronavirus deaths reported in one day on Tuesday. He provided a number of updates during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon (you can watch it here, below).

Murphy said the state also had among its highest number of new cases in one day, with 846 additional positive tests and 17 more deaths. The case number was lower than what was reported on Monday: 935.

New Jersey now has 3,675 positive cases – the second largest in the country – and 44 deaths.

Murphy said the numbers reinforce the need for social distancing and closing schools and businesses – in contrast to President Trump, who has called for a reopening of the country by Easter and said "we can do two things at one time." Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

"If anyone is looking to me for a reason to justify the steps we've ordered, I can now give you 44 of those reasons," Murphy said.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the additional deaths were:

• 5 individuals in Bergen County
• 3 individuals in Morris County
• 3 individuals in Essex County
• 2 individuals in Hudson County
• 1 individuals in Monmouth County
• 1 individuals in Camden County
• 1 individuals in Passaic County
• 1 individuals in Union County

Nine of the deaths were associated with long-term care facilities.

Here is the county-by-county breakdown of new cases:

• Bergen 61
• Burlington 7
• Camden 16
• Cape May 1
• Cumberland 1
• Essex 63
• Gloucester 6
• Hudson 38
• Hunterdon 7
• Mercer 8
• Middlesex 62
• Monmouth 53
• Morris 28
• Ocean 36
• Passaic 63
• Somerset 31
• Sussex 3
• Union 43
• Warren 3

Murphy also announced the launch of a new online portal to connect New Jersey residents with jobs in critical industries responding to COVID-19. The jobs portal is available here: https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov.

Employers in critical industries should submit information about openings with urgent hiring needs related to COVID19 here: https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/intake.

Murphy also said his administration has asked for a federal waiver to cancel all standardized student testing in April.

With students at home and not in regular classrooms, Murphy said it is "simply not feasible for us to move forward with testing in any feasible way."

Many have moved into a dual role of being a parent and a classroom educator, he said, and don't need to also become a "testing proctor."

Murphy said he also received word from the Trump administration that New Jersey will receive a second shipment of personal protective equipment, including thousands of masks and 85,000 respirators.

The state Department of Community Affairs has also asked all utility providers to suspend water shutoffs.

Murphy said four pop-up hospitals are also expected to be located at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, the Atlantic City Convention Center and at a site to be determined. Read more: FEMA To Open Four 'Pop Up Hospitals' In NJ To Battle Coronavirus

Also, the PNC Bank Arts Center coronavirus test site in Holmdel again reached capacity and closed Tuesday.

And, on Monday, the Murphy administration froze nearly $1 billion in spending for many programs you may need. The state tax deadline also may be extended. Read more: NJ Freezes Nearly $1B in Spending, Citing Coronavirus Crisis

Watch Murphy here:

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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," 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.