NJ Coronavirus Update: Gov. Murphy Considers Curfew, 31 New Cases – Ocean City, NJ Patch
NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy said on Sunday that New Jersey is considering a curfew now that the number of coronavirus cases has risen to 98, and two people have died. Thirty-one new cases were announced on Sunday.
Murphy also said New Jersey is still not ready for a statewide shutdown of schools, but he said he will likely take that action on Monday “with 99 percent certainty.” Hundreds of districts have already closed. Read more: Coronavirus NJ School Closures: Here’s The Latest (UPDATED)
A list of new towns also identified cases: Easthampton, Ridgewood, Linden, Caldwell, Freehold, Demarest, West Orange and North Caldwell
Murphy said a curfew is “something we’re looking at very seriously.” As for details on a possible curfew and state school shutdown, Murphy told reporters during a 2 p.m conference call: “Stay tuned tomorrow.” Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here’s What You Need To Know
“It’s just not time to panic,” Murphy said.
A statewide curfew would follow similar steps that several communities have already taken, including Hoboken, Asbury Park and Teaneck, where restaurants and bars have to close at a certain hour.
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Murphy said drastic actions require communities to be fully prepared. About 20 percent of New Jersey’s school students, for example, are not equipped yet for distance learning, he said. He wants to make sure they are before he closes all schools, Murphy said.
Murphy said the state has been working 24 hours a day to deal with the unintended consequences of a statewide school shutdown, noting the implications also on daycare and child care. He said a number of children also depend on school for their meals.
Nevertheless, Murphy said New Jersey is still “far too in business-as-usual mode” and “that has got to change.”
“We have to shake the state from the business-as-usual mode,” he said.
Murphy said the state is also considering having state employees work from home beginning on Wednesday, and changing election procedures such as imposing new petition submission rules and promoting vote-by-mail.
Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, meanwhile, said the new cases in New Jersey on Sunday involved nine women and 22 men, ages 30 to 77. One of the new cases involved a woman in Monmouth County who died; some overlapping cases were removed from the list.
She also broke down the new cases by county:
- Bergen 7
- Hudson 6
- Monmouth 4
- Essex 4
- Passaic 3
- Union 3
- Ocean 1
- Burlington 1
- Morris 1
- Middlesex 1
Persichilli also spoke about the second person in New Jersey who died because of the illness, which was announced on Saturday. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
She said the person may be connected to a family gathering in Monmouth County, where multiple people tested positive for the coronavirus, as well as the first fatal case that involved a man in Bergen County earlier this month.
The woman had a brother who was friends with the victim in Bergen County, Persichilli said. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
The New Jersey Department of Corrections is also temporarily suspending visits during the outbreak. Read more: NJDOC Suspends Visitations To State Prisons and Halfway Houses
The state also said it will no longer label the positive tests as “presumptive positive” cases. They are now considered “positive” and “confirmed.”
Presumptive positive meant the person tested positive in state labs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ultimately confirms the test. So far, 100 percent of the state’s positive tests had been confirmed.
Here’s what else you should know:
- State health officials said they believe the virus is “community-spread” in New Jersey. “Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us,” Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be ‘Community-Spread’ In NJ
- Schools and colleges across the state continued to cancel classes, move classes online and prepare for an outbreak that could get worse. Read more: Coronavirus NJ School Closures: Here’s The Latest (UPDATE)
- Murphy has declared a state of emergency, which allows his administration to expand its powers to treat the illness. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency Because Of Coronavirus
- The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
- The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
- State health officials have issued a long list of coronavirus outbreak guidelines for New Jersey schools and colleges now that the number of cases continues to climb in the United States and across the Garden State. Read more: NJ Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines For Schools, Colleges (UPDATE)
- New Jersey’s courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
- The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission also extended expiration dates for driver licenses, registrations and inspection stickers. Read more: NJ Driver’s License Changes Because Of Coronavirus Outbreak
- Murphy recommended on Thursday, March 12 that gatherings of 250 people or more should be canceled. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Should Cancel Large Gatherings Due To Coronavirus
- Hospitals also issued additional restrictions to visitors. Read more: New Hospital Restrictions In NJ Coronavirus Outbreak
- Compiled by Johns Hopkins University, this interactive map lets you track confirmed coronavirus cases in real time. Read more: Coronavirus Tracker: Latest Numbers In New Jersey
- Bayer has closed their Morristown and Whippany locations until further notice. Read more: Pharmaceutical Giant Closes NJ Offices Amidst Coronavirus Concern
- PSE&G is giving financially struggling customers a break in “the interest of protecting public health.” Read more: PSEG Stops Gas, Electric Shut-Offs As NJ Copes With Coronavirus
- State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
- Teaneck’s mayor urged his community to self-quarantine since cases in his town rose to 18. Read more: Teaneck Mayor Urges Town To Self-Quarantine From Coronavirus
- Ocean County health officials said a pregnant Toms River woman tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more: Pregnant Toms River Woman Is Positive For Coronavirus: County
How It Spreads
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.