BRIEFING NOTES:

•Gov. Murphy shows recent numbers, 81,420 total cases, 3,026 new cases.

•'We are flattening the curve,' according to Gov. Murphy.  The governor credits social distancing and NJ residents for doing their part. 

•Governor shows that hospitalizations have dipped in the last day.

•Recent data shows more people leaving the hospital than entering.

•Daily number of patients in intensive and critical care have begun to stabilize, according to the governor. 

•"We just can't let up."  Despite positive numbers, Gov. Murphy says residents must keep practicing social distancing guidelines. "We just have to stay at it."

•Gov. Murphy reports 231 new deaths to bring total number of fatalities to 4,070.

 

 

 

 

•Gov. Murphy reflects on the lives of some of those lost.  

•Governor says some people are still comparing COVID-19 to the flu, and he says this is wrong.  Says losses are much greater when compared to the flu. He also says COVID-19 is much more virulent.  

•Gov. Murphy urges people to pay attention to facts and science.  

•Governor said he had a concerning call with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) saying there is no momentum in Congress to put direct money into the states.  Says this will be disastrous, and that there will be tremendous layoffs if this does not happen. 

•Gov. Murphy said while there are some bad apples in long-term care facilities, but there are also good organization and good people working at those facilities.  

•Governor says there are roughly 70 testing sites up across the state. 

•Gov. Murphy says testing is extremely important and will ultimately help defeat the disease.  Governor also calls for more volunteers.  

•Governor highlights 12-year-old Vineland resident Dominic Mercado.  Gov. Murphy says for his birthday, Mercado asked for pasta and canned/jarred tomato sauce that he could donate to the Vineland Soup Kitchen. Governor says to wish Dominic a happy birthday if you are in the area - with social distancing in mind and with your face covered - as he is still out collecting goods today.  He is in the area of East Grant Avenue by the intersection with South Main Road.  

•Commissioner Judy Persichilli highlights ethnicity and the COVID-19 impact on some communities.  

•Gov. Murphy reiterates that residents cannot let their guard down, says 'we're not out of the woods yet.'

•'Unequivocally we will get through this together.'

•Governor says anyone who thinks measures being taken are enacted to take away civil liberties and rights is not looking at the data. 

•Gov. Murphy responds to a Facebook post by Atlantic County Surrogate Jim Curcio:

The governor calls it 'irresponsible.'  Says 'there will be blood on our hands' if system is opened up too soon.  Says at this time New Jersey needs responsible leadership.