Gov. Murphy Says NJ Not Ready To Fully Reopen Yet: Here's Why

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday spelled out the reasons for why New Jersey isn't ready to fully reopen just yet, even as the state's case and hospitalization numbers have declined sharply. He also announced during a news conference that New Jersey has 470 additional coronavirus cases and 51 more deaths (you can watch it here, below).

The update comes as the overall number of coronavirus cases has risen to 167,426, and 12,727 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy noted that New Jersey has shown great progress since reopenings amid the coronavirus crisis began on May 17, and he's said "stage three" of the state's restart will begin within "weeks." Read more: How Reopening Has Impacted NJ Coronavirus Case Counts: New Data

But Murphy said he's worried about a resurgence of the virus, especially if more indoor facilities reopen and as the region moves closer to fall, when COVID-19 is expected to return in the colder weather and if no vaccine is developed. The rate of transmission outdoors is 1/19 of what it is inside, Murphy said.

"This virus, by its very nature, is going to come back," Murphy said.

Murphy noted that the virus still is moving from person-to-person even though personal protective equipment is much more widely available than it was in March, when COVID-19 first was detected in New Jersey.

Murphy also noted that hospitals and the state's health care system are still too taxed to deal with a complete reopening.

He noted that New Jersey still ranks too high nationally based on a three-day average of hospitalizations per day, and a seven-day average of deaths per day:

• New Jersey's average daily number of hospitalizations is 1,376, which is fourth highest in the country.
• The number of hospitalizations is also 15 per 100,000 people.
• The average number of deaths per day is 66, which is the highest in the nation. It was second highest in the nation just weeks ago.
• The death rate per 100,000 people is 0.7.

Hospitalizations did fall to 1,291 on Tuesday, which is the lowest "in months," Murphy said. Only five patients are being treated in New Jersey's field medical stations.

Murphy said New Jersey's new hospitalizations also sunk to 33. The same number was in the hundreds just weeks ago.

"Our health care system is regaining capacity to meet the challenges ahead. We know there will be more COVID-19 hospitalizations," he said. "Our hospitals are in a better, stronger position to care."

Murphy, however, said New Jersey still has "too many people in our hospitals," especially since the state's numbers are among the highest in the nation.

"The only thing that will push these numbers down is slowing the spread of COVID-19," Murphy said "That is why social distancing must remain our top priority."

Murphy said he dined on Monday as New Jersey reopened outdoor dining and indoor retail, but he said he saw too many people not wearing masks. Read more: NJ's Big Reopen Day: Here's What You Can Do In Coronavirus Crisis

"You may think you look silly to wear a mask on your face on a fine late spring day, but you look even sillier in a hospital gown," Murphy said.

Watch Murphy here:

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