Gov. Murphy: Largest NJ COVID Daily Case Total Since May (WATCH)

NEW JERSEY - Gov. Phil Murphy called the statistics "sobering" as New Jersey reported 1,301 new COVID-19 positive test results during the Thursday new briefing on the pandemic. The last time the numbers were so high was just after Memorial Day.

"The last time we were at that level of positivity was May 29," Murphy said. "And it was 1,394."

Murphy said that 22 percent were from Ocean County, and 10 percent were from Monmouth. While those two counties remain the "greatest focus"of the crisis, it is far from NJ's only focus.

Murphy said that there were other counties that showed spikes of more than 80 additional cases:

• Bergen
• Essex
• Middlesex
• Passaic
• Union

Murphy said he couldn't pinpoint exactly why there is an increase in cases, and he cast doubt that the reopening of schools or indoor dining a month ago had anything to do with it.

Murphy said there may have been a lag in testing because of the recent holidays that caused the high number on Thursday. But he also said New Jersey continues to deal with "hotspots" in Lakewood and elsewhere.

State officials didn't identify this as the "second wave" of the virus, but they did say that they expected numbers to go higher once more people stayed inside as the weather gets colder.

"We're watching it," Murphy said. "This is somewhat within the modeling of what we expected but we have some flare-ups on top of it."

Murphy said he "will keep all options on the table" as far as future reopenings are concerned. He has suggested that he may halt future reopenings until the cases go down.

In his remarks, Murphy noted that the latest spot positivity rate was at 3.69 percent and that the total number of COVID-19 positive cases was 211,148. The rate of transmission is 1.22.

In the hospitals, there were 422 COVID-19 positive patients 230 awaiting their tests, which marked the highest spike since Aug. 6. There were also another 11 confirmed COVID-19 deaths.

"The number of patients in hospitals has been increasing," Murphy said, noting that 148 were in intensive care with 52 requiring the use of a ventilator. "That number has also been increasing over the last few days."

Murphy said the numbers equated to about 35,000 tests being conducted daily.

"The good news, the silver lining, is we have about as robust a testing reality as any state," Murphy said.

New Jersey reported 14,373 confirmed deaths since the pandemic began. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy has issued Halloween rules and guidance for New Jersey amid the coronavirus crisis. Here's what that means. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Halloween Rules, Guidance Amid Coronavirus

Murphy has expanded the quarantine travel advisory list to its biggest in weeks, now demanding any travelers from 35 states and territories to quarantine for two weeks after returning – even if their travel route started in New Jersey.

"We know that COVID-19 is a virus of opportunity, and if we let our guard down and grow complacent, we open a window of opportunity for future outbreaks," said Murphy. "It remains critically important for anyone arriving to New Jersey from these 35 states and territories to get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine for 14 days."

Anybody traveling south will still have to find a circuitous route since Delaware remains on the quarantine list. In fact, traveling to many parts of the southern U.S. will be difficult without having to isolate upon return.

Here is the latest list:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.

It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

Watch Murphy live here:

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