NJ Coronavirus: Cases Soar By 162, Death Toll Rises To 5

NEW JERSEY – The number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey nearly doubled again, and two additional deaths were reported on Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced (watch the press conference below).

Murphy announced that the state had 162 new positive tests on Wednesday, raising the total number of cases to 427.

Three members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus. Read more: 3 In Same Family, Including 2 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports

"This is increasing with a pretty steep curve," Murphy said.

Both people who died were over 60 years old and considered high-risk, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced.

Here is where the new cases are:

• Atlantic 3
• Bergen 27
• Burlington 5
• Camden 5
• Essex 12
• Hudson 9
• Hunterdon 2
• Mercer 6
• Middlesex 17
• Monmouth 8
• Morris 9
• Ocean 4
• Passaic 8
• Somerset 8
• Union 12

Twenty-seven cases are still not assigned to a county. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said he's also put in a request with the Trump administration to help erect more emergency beds and even hospitals.

Persichilli said she's concerned about the health care system, saying the state is looking to ensure that hospitals have the manpower, the supplies and the space that's needed for the duration of the outbreak.

"There are predictions that many parts of the United States will have far too few hospital beds if the new coronavirus continues to spread," she said. "That's why we're working with hospitals to develop surge and capacity planning."

She said 260 additional beds should be brought online by Wednesday. Of those, 199 will be in North Jersey, 11 will be in Central Jersey and 50 will be in South Jersey.

Persichilli expects 227 additional beds to become available within next three to four weeks

The state also completed a walk-through at Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury and it's working with Inspira Health. The Department of Health hopes that hospital can reopen and accommodate an additional 300 beds.

Persichilli said the Bergen Community College testing site in Paramus will also be up-and-running on Friday. Health care workers and first responders will get first priority; the DOH hopes to college 2,500 specimens a week.

Watch here:

The case report comes a day after Murphy said he's closing all indoor malls and amusement parks and centers. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Malls Closing Due To Coronavirus, 89 New Cases

Murphy also shut down all schools on Tuesday. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy

Rutgers University announced that it's closing its campuses for the rest of the semester, and moving to remote learning. Read more: Rutgers Closes For Rest Of Semester, Moves To Remote Learning

Murphy also imposed additional statewide restrictions on Monday, 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

Toll hike hearings were planned on Wednesday, despite state restrictions on just about everything. Read more: Turnpike, Parkway Toll Hike Hearings Go On Despite Coronavirus

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
• 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
• The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
• On Monday, March 16, state officials announced that a third person in New Jersey died because of the virus. Read more: 3rd Death In New Jersey Due To Coronavirus
• 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
• The New Jersey Department of Corrections is temporarily suspending visits during the outbreak. Read more: NJDOC Suspends Visitations To State Prisons and Halfway Houses
• The state also said it will no longer label the positive tests as "presumptive positive" cases. They are now considered "positive" and "confirmed."
• State Police said they're also looking to locate two FEMA assistance centers – otherwise known as "pods" – where people can be tested. One will be at Bergen Community College in Paramus and the other will be located at the PNC Arts Center on the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing In Works For NJ
• Murphy said he's also mobilizing the National Guard to assist, providing services to help bridge "capability gaps," augment the police and local personnel in transportation and traffic control and support facilities such as hospitals that have hit capacity or run into medical and technology problems.

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.