What to Know
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s office says he is canceling in-person public events because a member of his family has tested positive for COVID-19.
- The statement didn’t identify the family member and said the governor received a test earlier Wednesday, and it came back negative.
- Murphy, a Democrat, doesn’t qualify as a close contact to the family member, his office said, but “out of an abundance of caution” he was voluntarily quarantining.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy canceled in-person public events on Wednesday because a family member tested positive for COVID-19.
The governor, a Democrat, declined to identify the family member, but said during a video news conference it wasn't First Lady Tammy Murphy.
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It was unclear whether the family member lives with Murphy. The governor and first lady have four children, but Murphy declined to specify details.
He received a test Wednesday that came back negative.
His office said the person doesn't qualify as a close contact, but ”out of an abundance of caution” he was voluntarily quarantining.
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Murphy said the person who tested positive hadn't been to any large indoor gatherings, and that the positive test likely stemmed from a smaller gathering. He said his family takes precautions, like keeping distance and opening windows, even at home.
It's the second time the governor has gone into isolation. In October, he abruptly left an event, saying he just found out a person he was in contact with over the weekend tested positive for the virus. Murphy tested negative after contact with that person.
