New Jersey is changing the way it reports deaths at long-term facilities and nursing homes.

 

Gov. Phil Murphy said at his daily briefing Tuesday that only lab-confirmed deaths will be reported.

The new standard lowers the total number of deaths at those facilities by at least 1,200.

Long-term facilities must test all their residents for the virus by Tuesday.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer has also introduced a new bill to help the long-term care facilities handle coronavirus.

 

The bill includes sending strike teams to help staff control the spread. More than 5,4000 people have died from the virus in long-term care facilities across the state.

Gottheimer says, "New Jersey continues to be at the epicenter of this crisis, and our state's long-term care facilities need the proper support to fight these outbreaks. With this new bill, we are investing in strike teams to come in to help stop the spread."