Gov. Murphy: 2 More NJ Coronavirus Deaths, Strong Measures Coming

UPDATE: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy said on Friday that the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise and announced that two more people have died. The governor said the state should expect stronger measures on Saturday to "tighten the screws" and help bring an end to the outbreak.

New Jersey will likely shut all non-essential businesses, and gatherings of 10 – or even fewer – will likely be banned, Murphy said. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Phil Murphy Issues NJ Update On Coronavirus

The steps could be similar to what was done in New York. The Empire State will go under a stay-at-home mandate after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order that goes into effect on Sunday. Read more: Stay-At-Home Coronavirus Order Issued For New York State: Cuomo

Murphy said other places such as Sand Francisco have done similar orders, but he wants to make sure it's done "with teeth."

"I don't want to turn on CNN and look at some waterfront in New Jersey that looks like the waterfront in San Francisco as it looked last night, even though they had this shelter-in-place," he said, adding: "You had people literally by the hundreds, jogging, going shopping, holding hands, and whatever."

Murphy, speaking at the new FEMA testing site that opened in Bergen County at 8 a.m. on Friday, said the state's number of cases rose by 155 on Friday to a total of 890; there have been 11 deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said the number of new cases is probably "understated" because testing has ramped up.

More than 50 retail chains, meanwhile, have temporarily shuttered in response to the ongoing new coronavirus outbreak. Read more: New Jersey Coronavirus: IKEA, Gap Among Growing Store Closures

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the two additional deaths involved a 37-year-old man in Essex County and a 52-year-old man from Bergen County. She said cardiovascular disease and diabetes is coming up with almost every single person who has succumbed to the virus.

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

• Bergen 48
• Burlington 2
• Essex 8
• Hudson 9
• Hunterdon 2
• Mercer 3
• Middlesex 11
• Monmouth 10
• Morris 4
• Ocean 15
• Passaic 12
• Somerset 4
• Sussex 1
• Union 9

The health commissioner said her office was also working to close adult day health care centers in all counties while the outbreak continues.

Murphy also said the state successfully tested 600 people at the new Bergen site on Friday. Read more: FEMA Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Opens In NJ

A new testing site will open on Monday at 8 a.m. in Holmdel. Read more: PNC Arts Center Coronavirus Test Site To Open Next Week

Murphy, joining N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Ct. Gov. Ned Lamont, and Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, also urged the federal government to consider a fiscal stimulus in the form of a direct cash assistance program.

The stimulus would provide an immediate financial infusion to all four states to help cover costs related to COVID-19 response operations.

The governors sent a letter to the Trump administration estimating that, for the four states alone, the direct cash assistance must total at least $100 billion to account for the fiscal challenges ahead of state budget deadlines.

‘We owe an enormous debt to the relief efforts and resources that our federal partners have already provided," wrote Murphy, Cuomo, Lamont, and Wolf. "But our challenges are expanding daily and just beginning. Our states have all stepped up to take unprecedented action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and do all we can to flatten the curve. We implore you to consider the devastating impact these efforts will have on our states – and millions of our residents – both in the immediate term and the months to come.”

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

The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was also 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

Watch Murphy live 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
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced he planned to shut down all schools on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Murphy also imposed new statewide restrictions on Monday, March 16, shutting restaurants, casinos, bars and gyms. He also discouraged non-essential travel in the evening, saying people should stay at home. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: Bars, Restaurants, Theaters To Shut
• 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
• Murphy also announced that all personal care businesses –including salons, barbers, health clubs and tattoo parlors – will be ordered to close at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy: NJ Barbers, Salons, Spas Must Close
• 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 for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's closing its offices for two weeks. 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
• Murphy said on Tuesday, March 17 that he's closing all indoor malls and amusement parks and centers. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Malls Closing Due To Coronavirus, 89 New Cases
• 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

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.