New Jersey reported more than 40,000 novel coronavirus cases and more than 1,000 deaths on Monday. NBC10’s Cydney Long has the details on Gov. Murphy’s response and message.
What to Know
- On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that at least 1,003 people had died in New Jersey after contracting the novel coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
- The growth rate of infections has declined, Murphy said, adding that the trend is showing that mitigation efforts are working in "beginning" to flatten the curve.
- At least 41,090 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Garden State.
New Jersey hit a grim milestone on Monday in the coronavirus pandemic as the state announced that the disease led to the deaths of more than 1,000 people.
Eighty-six people were added to the state's COVID-19 death tally on Monday, bringing the total to 1,003 residents. Among those killed was Jersey City Councilman Michael Yun, Gov. Phil Murphy announced.
At least 41,090 people had tested positive for the novel coronavirus in New Jersey, with about 3,600 new cases announced Monday.
Get Philly local news, weather forecasts, sports and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters.
While cases continue to grow, Murphy said state officials were heartened by new data that shows a slowing of infection rates. On March 30, cases were increasing day-over-day by 24%. Today, that rate dropped to 12%. He credited the state's aggressive social distancing efforts for the decline.
Murphy said there may still be anomalous days, but overall the curve “is beginning, and I use that word cautiously, is beginning to flatten.”
For the first time, state health officials said that the height of the outbreak would likely come between April 19 and May 11, with anywhere from 86,000 to 509,000 positive cases.
Murphy urged people to continue social distancing measures to continue a reduction in infections. The Democratic governor called social distancing a matter of life and death.
"I cannot thank all of you who are doing the things we need you to do, in your communities, enough," Murphy said. "We’re working as one family should – we’re looking out for each other and we’re supporting each other."
Murphy urged state residents to remain in their primary homes during the COVID-19 crisis. In an attempt to limit people coming to the Jersey Shore, Murphy issued a new order Sunday that allows municipalities and counties additional restrictions on the ability of hotels, motels, guest houses, or private residences to accept new transient guests or seasonal tenants.
There have been 71 deaths in Ocean County, 19 in Mercer County, 11 in Burlington County, eight in Camden County and three or fewer deaths in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.
A vast majority of the deaths are people 65 years or older and 60% of the deaths were men. Among other new deaths announced Monday were former state health department deputy commissioner Colette Lamothe-Galette and Hudson County Correctional Center nurse Daisy Doronila.
Access to 'Comfort' Beds, More Ventilators
Some beds on the USNS Comfort hospital ship that recently arrived to help New York battle the virus will go to New Jersey residents, Murphy said Monday.
The governor didn't have many details, as he said he had just gotten off the phone with President Donald Trump who approved the governor's request for spots on the ship.
The state secured 500 additional ventilators after “multiple conversations” with the White House, Murphy wrote Sunday on Twitter.
The governor said the machines are New Jersey's biggest pressing need, and he vowed he would not “stop fighting to get us the equipment we need to save every life.”
Keeping Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Open
Medical marijuana dispensaries are considered essential during the coronavirus pandemic and remain open. There is concern about the dispensaries operating amid the viral pandemic, but the state health department is allowing curbside consultation and dispensing.
Limit your visits to once a month, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.
Wish You Weren't Here
A performance by a Pink Floyd cover band that drew about 30 adults to the front yard of a home on Saturday night has resulted in charges against a Monmouth County man.
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan said the man from Rumson was charged with several disorderly persons offenses including reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
Police said the group of people in their 40s and 50s, including some who brought lawn chairs, were watching two guitar players with mics and amps stream the performance on Facebook Live.
Attendees responded to police ordering them to leave by cursing and referring to Nazis, officials said. Police put a halt to the music in the middle of the Pink Floyd song “Wish You Were Here.”
In other enforcement actions over the weekend, police charged a Teaneck woman with aggravated assault and other offenses for allegedly spitting and coughing on officers during an arrest in Englewood and telling them she had tested positive for COVID-19.
They also charged a Parsippany woman with operating her dog grooming business in violation of a state order closing all non-essential businesses and a Toms River man for holding a backyard gathering with more than 20 people.
In Newark, police on Friday and Saturday issued 180 summonses for violation of the emergency orders and ordered 11 non-essential businesses closed.
About Coronavirus
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
One of the best ways to prevent spread of the virus is washing your hands with soap and water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends first washing with warm or cold water and then lathering soap for 20 seconds to get it on the backs of hands, between fingers and under fingernails before rinsing off.
