Gov. Phil Murphy: 69 More Die, 2,196 More NJ Coronavirus Cases

NEW JERSEY – Once again, New Jersey had its highest one-day death toll: Gov. Phil Murphy reported during his live press conference on Tuesday that 69 more people have died of the coronavirus, and there are 2,196 new cases (you can watch it here, below).

New Jersey now has 18,696 cases, and 267 have died since the crisis began. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy paid tribute to a couple of "precious souls," noting that one of them was a 30-year-old man who died Monday from complications of the new coronavirus. Read more: Coronavirus Toll: 3 Separate Stories Of NJ Victims In Their 30s

The man, Ben Luderer, worked as the varsity baseball coach and as a special education teacher at Cliffside Park High School. Read more: Cliffside Park Baseball Coach, 30, Dies From Coronavirus

"A star in that famous Don Bosco Prep undefeated team of 2008 – they were number one in the nation," he said. "To his wife Brandy and to his family, God rest his soul."

Murphy said that anyone who may be in danger, and the disease doesn't appear to discriminate by age – a "reality" that everyone should heed.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli provided a county-by-county breakdown of the new cases:

• Atlantic 2
• Bergen 235
• Burlington 21
• Camden 29
• Cape May 3
• Cumberland 7
• Essex 237
• Gloucester 25
• Hudson 183
• Hunterdon 13
• Mercer 12
• Middlesex 119
• Monmouth 99
• Morris 65
• Ocean 46
• Passaic 73
• Salem 9
• Somerset 40
• Sussex 15
• Union 111
• Warren 8

Another 844 cases were not assigned to a county.

Of those who died, Persichilli said 55 percent were men and 45 percent were women.

Three of the fatalities involved people who were younger than 30 years old; 12 were between ages 30 and 49; 46 were between ages 50 and 64; 80 were between age 65 and 79; and 126 were over the age of 80, she said.

Persichilli also said 42 percent of the deceased had underlying conditions, such as heart disease obesity, hypertension and diabetes.

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.