(AP) - New Jersey's death toll from the coronavirus has nearly doubled in the last two days, rising to 81, Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday. He said nearly 2,500 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to nearly 6,900. President Donald Trump signed a declaration naming New Jersey a disaster area eligible for additional funding. And new claims for unemployment soared in New Jersey last week, an indication of how deeply shutdowns related to the coronavirus are cutting into the workforce and the economy. The state labor department received over 155,000 new claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 21, an increase of over 1,500% from last week.

Full details below:

- State officials announce 2,492 new cases of COVID-19 - 6,876 total

- State officials announce 19 new deaths.

- Gov. Murphy urges all New Jersey residents to continue to remain home.

 - Gov. Murphy says schools will be closed until at least April 17. By that date, the closings will be "revisited."

- Gov. Murphy announces news regarding testing for symptomatic health care workers and first responders.

- Gov. Murphy discusses the federal stimulus package.

 - 3.3 million people nationwide filed for unemployment benefits during the pandemic - 155,000 in New Jersey alone.

 - Gov. Murphy discusses PPE shortage.

- Gov. Murphy discusses small business stimulus

- Gov. Murphy discusses the COVID-19 job portal for those who are out of work.

- Gov. Murphy discusses bias & hate surrounding the pandemic

 

 

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