Gov. Murphy Meets Trump As NJ Coronavirus Deaths Hit 1-Day High

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy asked President Donald Trump for tens of billions of dollars in assistance Thursday before announcing, during an afternoon news conference, that New Jersey's coronavirus death toll hit a single-day high. Trump said the issue of bringing more funding to New Jersey to aid in its recovery is a "tough question." (you can watch it here, below).

Murphy reported that New Jersey had 460 more deaths Thursday, raising the overall total to 7,228. New Jersey also had more than 2,633 new cases — a number that's been on a daily decline — as the overall number rose to 118,652. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Earlier, Murphy told Trump that the state will likely need $20 billion to $30 billion to shore up the state as it continues to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, record unemployment and sharply declining revenues.

"We don't see this as a bailout. We see this as a partnership," Murphy said.

Murphy wants to make sure that tens of thousands of people — including police, firefighters, teachers, EMS and other public employees — can get paid in the middle of the crisis and continue to assist people "in their hour of need."

Trump's response was: "And I will say, that's a tough question because you're talking about the states, and whether you call it a bailout or a lot of money, and it's – a lot of it's for years, long before you were there."

Trump then went on to praise Murphy, saying: "You can't have a better representative than this man. That, I can tell you. Plus, he's an old Goldman Sachs guy."

"He went through a big operation just before this happened, and that's a helluva thing," Trump said, referring to Murphy's cancer operation in March.

Murphy said the visit with Trump yielded good results, prompting the Trump administration to provide:

• 550,000 new test kits
• 750,000 new swabs for testing
• 358 nursing homes will be receiving a direct shipment of 220,000 masks, 19,000 goggles, 200,000 gowns and 1 million gloves.

"This proves that it is possible to put people over politics," Murphy said. "It's no secret that the president and I disagree on some things, but that's not going to stop me from making sure that New Jersey has all the resources it needs."

Here are videos of Murphy and Trump speaking to the media after they met:

Also Thursday, the weather forecast appeared to be impacting the coronavirus outbreak, delaying testing in Passaic, Union and Somerset counties. Read more: NJ Weather: Thunderstorms, 60-MPH Winds Expected

Murphy also paid tribute to some of the coronavirus victims:

Watch Murphy here:

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Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, April 27, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday, March 21, closing all non-essential business. 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
• 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
  

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.