Coronavirus Outbreak's Worst Day In NJ: 4,331 New Cases, 200 Die

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy announced that the coronavirus outbreak once again had its worst day on Saturday, with 4,331 new cases and 200 more dead. Murphy was providing the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in New Jersey beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday (you can watch it here, below).

The total case number is now 34,124 and the death toll is 846, both figures now the second highest in the nation. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy pointed out that New Jersey has now lost 100 more people than it lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and the governor held a moment of silence during his press conference.

"We wil never forget who we lost in 9-11 and we will never forget the pople we lost in this pandemic," he said.

The coronavirus also has surpassed all other causes of death based on New Jersey's daily average in 2018. Read more: Coronavirus Surpassing NJ's Top Causes Of Death As 113 More Die

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli provided a breakdown of the latest report of fatalities by county:

• Bergen County: 47
• Essex 37
• Ocean 21
• Mercer 8
• Morris 8
• Monmouth 6
• Passaic 4
• Warren 3
• Burlington 1
• Camden 1
• Cumberland 1
• Hunterdon 1
• Somerset 1
• Sussex 1

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

• Atlantic 28
• Bergen 607
• Burlington 98
• Camden 74
• Cape May 7
• Cumberland 5
• Essex 409
• Gloucester 31
• Hudson 494
• Hunterdon 23
• Mercer 89
• Middlesex 400
• Monmouth 301
• Morris 214
• Ocean 268
• Passaic 489
• Salem 0
• Somerset 108
• Sussex 21
• Union 287
• Warren 30

Of the 846 people who have died, 61 percent were male and 39 percent were female. The age ranges were:

• 5, or 1 percent, were under the age of 30
• 47, or 6 percent, were 30-49 years old
• 136, or 16 percent, were 50 to 64 years old.
• 268, or 32 percent, were 65-79 years old
• 389, or 46 percent, were over 80 years old.

Persichilli repeated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation that people should wear masks. She said the measure is not fail-safe, but she said people who are asymptomatic may be carrying the virus.

"If you wear a mask, you're protecting others," Persichilli said. "If others are wearing them, they are protect you."

Persichilli said that social distancing, by far, is the best preventative measure.

"This is war. How do you win wars? You don't panic," Murphy said. "And you don't go business as usual. You win it by being smart."

Watch Murphy 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," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• 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
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. 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
• 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
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was 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
• After two FEMA sites opened, officials said five more counties will be getting coronavirus testing sites. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

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.