Gov. Murphy: 'Real Progress' In NJ Coronavirus Crisis

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during his Thursday press conference, showed how – and where - New Jersey is making real progress in slowing the coronavirus outbreak, even as he announced 3,748 new cases and 198 more deaths (see map below).

New Jersey now has 51,027 cases and 1,700 deaths, both numbers now ranking as the second-highest in the country. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy also said New Jersey has:

• 7,363 hospitalized residents
• 1,523 residents in intensive care
• 1,551 residents on ventilators
• 471 discharged residents

Murphy, however, pointed to a map of New Jersey that showed the rates of infections slowing throughout New Jersey.

The map shows counties in "orange," meaning that the amount of infected residents in those areas is doubling every three to five days. Last week, several counties were "red," meaning they were doubling in less than three days (see graph below).

"We have no red at the moment," Murphy said. "This is real progress. Are we spiking any footballs? No."

Murphy reminded everybody that social distancing is working but "we've got to not only flatten the curve – we have to get to a plateau and then begin to go down as fast as we can."

"Our social distancing is, in fact, beginning to show effect here," Murphy said. "There is light here."

Murphy made the comments a day after he ordered stores across New Jersey 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

Murphy also spoke to why New Jersey closed state and county parks, saying that there were too many people "congregating" and the officials had to do something.

During the first good weather weekend of the spring, Murphy said, "up and down the state there was unequivocally an enormous amount of gathering at state and county parks." He also said there were a number of out-of-state license plates on cars seen at these parks.

"America's most influential coronavirus model" also predicted 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

Watch Murphy here:

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," 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
• 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.