Gov. Phil Murphy is discouraging New Jerseyans from attending large Thanksgiving gatherings this year due to the risk of COVID-19.

"This is the year to gather around a small table so we can hope to be able to gather around a bigger one next year," Murphy said Monday at his COVID-19 briefing.

New Jersey has seen over 1,000 new positive cases of the coronavirus for the sixth day in a row. State health officials confirmed 1,379 new cases on Monday, along with three additional deaths.

Out of the 1,109 patients in hospitals, 947 are confirmed COVID-19 positive and 162 people are under investigation pending the return of tests results. Health officials also confirmed that 212 patients are in the intensive care unit with 100 on ventilators.

Murphy said the state positivity rate for all tests recorded on Oct. 29 was 5.29%, with a statewide rate transmission currently at 1.28.

The governor also discussed the upcoming election, saying that 3,544,719 ballots have already been received -- 90% of the turnout in 2016.

For residents who have yet to vote, Murphy emphasized not to mail in ballots. Instead, he encouraged voters to drop off their ballots at a secure drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, hand-deliver the ballot to a poll worker, or vote in person at their local polling place.

State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan also stated that his spoke with the New Jersey Department of Transportation about this weekend’s traffic issues on the Garden State Parkway where hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump participated in a “Trump Caravan.” That showing slowed down traffic on the Parkway on Sunday. Callahan said that some of the drivers may face traffic citations.