6 Things NJ Really Needs In Coronavirus Crisis, And For How Long

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy says there's a growing list of things New Jersey really needs right now to battle the ever-growing coronavirus outbreak in the Garden State. Perhaps the most important of those, he says, is continuing the social distancing measures he's put in place that will likely last for another two months. (see the list below).

With seven hospitals forced to "divert" patients away because of overcrowding, Murphy suggested to CNN's Chris Cuomo that his "stay-at-home" measures will likely last deep into May. "I don't see any other way around that," Murphy said.

For now, the number of cases continue to spiral upward, and a change to his stay-at-home order that closed non-essential businesses doesn't appear to be imminent.

New Jersey had 22,255 cases as of Wednesday – the second-highest in the country – and 355 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy also spoke to WFAN, saying the state is still "way short" in its need for equipment.

On WFAN, Murphy also repeated his claim that this crisis could extend well into May, and he's not sure yet if a statewide closure of the beaches on Memorial Day weekend will be needed just yet.

Many towns, such as Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking, have already taken a step in thar direction, closing their beaches now. Read more: Beaches To Close In Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking

Here is what New Jersey really needs right now:

Ventilators

With the help of the federal government, New Jersey is getting at least 300 more ventilators. Some hospitals have gotten so desperate that they have their machines serving two people at one time.

Murphy, however, says the state still needs about another 2,000 ventilators to deal with the surge of patients that some believe has already started.

Murphy has resisted criticizing President Trump's handling of the crisis and the fact that there is a national dearth of ventilators, but he did tell WFAN: "We didn't come into this as a nation with the right stockpile."

Personal protective equipment

Murphy said New Jersey is "way short" on masks, gloves and other equipment that would protect its thousands of health care workers from getting the virus.

The state has bought 10 million pieces of PPE on its own, but it needs more. "We've never been in this business before," he told Cuomo.

Preparation for the worst

In a morbid turn of events, Murphy and Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said they expect to need help dealing with the fatal victims. The state is working to secure refrigerated trucks, they said, "if we need them."

"The fact that we're having this conversation – folks, this is real," Murphy said during a recent press conference.

Beds

It's gotten so bad in some areas – particularly in Bergen County – that seven hospitals were placed on "divert" status because they were just too crowded to accept enough patients, Persichilli said on Wednesday.

"We're seeing an increasing demand on our health care system," she said. "It looks like the surge is beginning to occur."

New Jersey is also reopening hospitals and, through FEMA, the state is setting up four field hospitals.

One is going to be at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, another is going to be at the Convention Center in Edison and a third one will be set up in Atlantic City's Convention Center. The fourth one will be housed periodically at the state's Urban Search and Rescue facility.

Murphy also told WFAN that the state will be converting dorm rooms and hotels into facilities for low-symptomatic people.

Workers

Murphy said that health care workers and first responders are "on the front line" and they need all the help they can get. And a number of them are getting sick – and some have even died.

One East Orange emergency room doctor died just a week after showing symptoms, and a beloved EKG technician died. Read more: 2 Beloved Hospital Workers Die Of Coronavirus In Essex County

"We need help from the bullpen," Murphy told Cuomo, saying the state has gotten more than 6,000 volunteers to help.

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is expediting the graduation of its students so they can join the fight against the coronavirus in hospitals, and about 192 graduates will be eligible to begin residencies at hospitals very soon, according to The Asbury Park Press.

Social distancing

Murphy said it could be another seven to 10 days before the state determines whether the closure of non-essential businesses and the ban on gatherings have had a positive impact.

He said the disease can take a week to incubate, and test results can take another seven to 10 days to return. So he hopes to see some positive results of his "stay-at-home" order from mid-March very soon.

Murphy said Abbott Laboratories is developing a rapid test that he hopes will speed up the process of getting results.

"If we stay at home, we're going to get through this," Murphy said to WFAN. "We're going to get through this stronger than before."