Gov. Murphy: NJ Coronavirus Outbreak Again Has Deadliest Day: 379

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Tuesday press conference, said New Jersey once again had its deadliest day in the coronavirus outbreak as 3,644 new cases and 379 more deaths were announced. Murphy, however, said the Garden State continues to show progress in its management of the outbreak (you can watch it here, below).

New Jersey now has 92,387 coronavirus cases and the state has lost 4,753 people to the disease. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

New Jersey now has 7,594 hospitalized, 1,930 of whom are in critical condition and 1,501 ventilators are in use. On Monday, 630 people were discharged.

Despite the grim numbers, Murphy said several positive trends continue, noting that New Jersey is seeing decreases in the number of new daily hospitalizations.

"This ties almost directly with the fact that we’re slowing the rate of spread," he said. "The fewer people who test positive, the fewer people who need to go to the hospital."

He pointed to a graph pointing to the trend:

Murphy said the number of patients in either critical or intensive care also has been relatively stable over the past week. So has the number of ventilators in use.

"We want these numbers to decrease, but not seeing any significant increases is a good starting point," Murphy said.

Murphy, who is expected to provide benchmarks and a blueprint this week for how New Jersey will reopen its economy, cautioned that New Jersey is still not ready to reopen, and he said it will take at least several weeks for the state to get there.

Murphy said New Jersey needs to be on the downside of the coronavirus curve to even begin considering reopening the economy and schools, which he said will have to be done in "phases."

As for schools, Murphy said he'll only open them if he can ensure that children and families are safe and "we will not hesitate to require additional protection," such as a masks.

Murphy quoted President John F. Kennedy in trying to reassure New Jersey residents that contunuing to social distance is the right thing to do:

Murphy also paid tribute to residnets who passed away:

Severe storms also impacted the management of the outbreak on Tuesday, causing some testing sites to postpone. Read more: NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Hail, 55-MPH Winds Expected

Watch Murphy here:

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Here's what else you should know:

• 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
• Murphy, speaking during a Thursday, April 16 press conference, said schools will remain closed through May 15. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Shut Through May 15 In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• 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
• 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
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand. Read more: Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In NJ
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of New Jersey businesses – including gun sellers – to operate in the coronavirus outbreak. What's open and closed now? Read more: What's Open, Closed? More NJ Business To Operate Amid Coronavirus
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
• Here are four urgent tasks New Jersey wants you to do during the coronavirus outbreak, including wearing a mask. And here's why. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak

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.