State officials gave an update with the latest on the coronavirus pandemic in New Jersey on Saturday.

-Gov. Phil Murphy says 53 NJ hospitals will receive $1.7 billion in federal funding, noting that getting critically needed aide has been an ongoing part of the state’s ongoing talks with federal partners. He says the federal funding will help the state's health care systems remain on a firm financial standing while increasing access for residents.

-New cases are "starting to rise again," Murphy says. Total statewide cases are at 123,717, with 2,912 new cases announced today. He notes that testing is also expanding.

-Murphy says the state is closely watching reports about social distancing compliance as it reopens state parks today. He says he's hoping for "minimal reports of knucklehead behavior" as the weather warms up.

 

-New Jersey reports 378 new COVID hospitalizations; Murphy note's that's the lowest one-day total since last weekend.

-"Unfathomable." New Jersey reports 205 new coronavirus deaths, for a total of 7,742.

-The governor says he'll sign an executive order extending a number of statutory deadlines required under environmental laws that will be difficult to meet due to coronavirus. He says the move will make sure the state DEP "has the necessary time to make fully informed decisions about permit approvals."