At 3,675 cases, New Jersey is second only to New York in coronavirus infections

There are now 3,675 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Jersey, making the state second only to New York in terms of infections.

News 12 Staff

Mar 24, 2020, 6:07 PM

Updated 1,665 days ago

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There are now 3,675 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Jersey, making the state second only to New York in terms of infections.
“This is truly, in every sense, an unprecedented time for our state,” said Gov. Phil Murphy during the daily COVID-19 briefing.
State health officials announced 846 new cases of the virus today, along with 17 additional deaths, the biggest single-day jump yet, bringing the statewide total to 44. Murphy called the report sobering.
“We sadly cannot bring that fatality number to zero. We already are at 44 precious lives lost in our state,” Murphy said.
Of the 17 deaths, five were residents of Bergen County, three from Morris County, three from Essex County, two from Hudson County and one each from Monmouth, Camden, Passaic and Union counties.
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The governor said that the numbers are the reason social distancing measure in the state won’t end in the next few days.
“We’re not there yet and we’re going to stay the course because we believe we’re basing our decisions on the facts and the science if this virus,” he said.
But there is some good news. Officials also announced Tuesday that over 200,000 N95 masks and 84,000 respirators are on their way to New Jersey from the federal stockpile. There will also be four FEMA field hospitals set up around the state. They are coming just one day after Murphy made a direct request to President Donald Trump.
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“The speed at which this is happening is unprecedented and I want to give the president and FEMA a huge shout out,” Murphy said.
The governor also had a message for the “knuckleheads out there” who are continuing to ignore social distancing practices and to non-essential businesses that are demanding their employees go to work despite the stay at home executive order.
“My executive order is not a polite suggestion. It is an order. No one who can work from home should be going to an office. We expect 100% compliance,” Murphy said.
At least 12,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted statewide. State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said that 27% of those tests came back positive for the virus, 73% negative. She said that for the people who did test negative, but were presenting some symptoms, should still stay home because they may have a different respiratory illness.