Coronavirus in New Jersey: A timeline of events from first cases to mass casualties to the reopening – NorthJersey.com

Editor’s note: This file will be updated frequently.

New Jersey has been on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak since January, when Newark Liberty International Airport became a major screening and quarantine station for foreign travelers, to March, when the first New Jerseyans were diagnosed with the disease.

Here is a timeline of events based on news reports and information from the state Department of Health. 

March 4

James Cai, a 32-year-old New York physician assistant with an apartment in Fort Lee, is the first person in New Jersey to be diagnosed with coronavirus. 

Cai developed symptoms of COVID-19 on March 1, went to an urgent care facility and was eventually admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center. 

Cai had not traveled to countries where the virus is spreading, and has no school-aged children. He said he had recently attended a medical conference in Times Square.

After 19 days in the hospital, Cai is eventually released and is recovering at home but still on oxygen because of the lung damage inflicted by the virus. He says that once he is fully recovered, he wants to get back to work and help treat patients. 

March 5 

An Englewood woman becomes the second New Jerseyan to test positive for coronavirus. The woman, who officials would only say is in her 30s, is treated at Englewood Health and sent home to self-quarantine.

March 6

A Camden County man in his 60s becomes the third New Jersey resident with coronavirus. The man, who had been hospitalized since March 3, is listed in stable condition. Officials said the resident of Cherry Hill had visited Cooper University Urgent Care on Route 70 in Cherry Hill before he was diagnosed. 

Later in the day, officials announce that a man, 55, is New Jersey’s fourth coronavirus case. He was hospitalized at Englewood Health since March 5.  The man had attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also attended the conference, but conference officials said the Englewood man did not interact with Trump or Pence.

Several lawmakers, including Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, later said they would self-quarantine out of precaution because they attended the CPAC conference.

March 8

State officials announce New Jersey’s fifth and sixth residents to test positive for coronavirus.

One is a 70-year-old Teaneck man whose symptoms began on Feb. 28. The man, a health care worker, was admitted to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson on March 6 and was in stable condition in the intensive care unit. He is the fourth case from Bergen County.

The other resident lives just a few miles south in West New York. The 32-year-old man began showing symptoms on Feb. 28 and entered Hackensack University Medical Center on March 5.

Officials also said two New Jersey patients had received care at CityMD Urgent Care on Route 4 in Paramus when they showed symptoms but had not yet been diagnosed.

March 9

Gov. Phil Murphy declares a state of emergency after five additional residents are diagnosed with the disease, bringing the statewide total to 11. 

The declaration allows state government to deploy resources more quickly by waiving a number of bureaucratic requirements like the bidding process for medical supplies.

Murphy says the action is necessary “to ensure that local health agencies on the front lines of the state’s response are equipped with the resources needed to further prepare our health care system for a broader spread of COVID-19.”

The disease has now been detected in five counties with Bergen having the most: 5.

The new cases included:

• An 18-year-old woman from Clifton, who is hospitalized. She may have been in contact with a patient from New York who has the illness.
• A 30-year-old Teaneck man, who is hospitalized at Holy Name Medical Center. 
• A 48-year-old man from Berkeley Heights in Union County, who is at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. 
• A 27-year-old man in Little Silver, who is not hospitalized. He is among 170 people who attended a conference in Boston and have tested positive.
• An 83-year-old woman from Hazlet, who is being treated at Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel.

HOW IT AFFECTS YOU:NJ declares state of emergency over coronavirus concerns

March 10

Officials announce New Jersey’s first coronavirus victim: John Brennan, a 69-year-old Little Ferry man who diedthe morning of March 10 at Hackensack University Medical Center. 

The man had a number of underlying health issues including emphysema, diabetes, hypertension, irregular heartbeat and gastrointestinal bleeding.

The man went to his primary care doctor last week with a fever and cough. He was treated with antibiotics and Tamiflu. He was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center on March 6. He was isolated. His condition deteriorated. He had a heart attack Monday night and was revived, but then died the next morning from a heart attack.

He was a horse trainer and mainstay in the paddock of Yonkers Raceway, according to several horse racing publications.

PROFILE:A passionate horse trainer is NJ’s first coronavirus death

He regularly went into New York, but had no recent history of overseas travel.

The man is one of four new cases reported: two in Bergen County and two in Burlington County. The state total is 15.

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announces all county-run technical and specialty schools and Bergen Community College will be closed for two weeks. Visitation at the Bergen County Healthcare and Rehabilitation home for seniors in Rockleigh is suspended.

Rutgers announces it will offer only online courses until at least April 3 and urges students to remain off-campus.

March 11

New Jersey has eight new cases, bringing the total to 23, a day after the state’s first death from the virus – just one week since the first patient in New Jersey was diagnosed with the disease. 

All of the eight new cases are in hospitals. Four are in Bergen County, two in Middlesex and two in Monmouth counties. 

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization’s Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on March 11 declares the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic as the global death toll rose above 4,300 and the number of confirmed cases exceeded 120,000.

Schools throughout the state begin preparing for possible closures.

Officials announce the postponement of two of New Jersey’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in Morristown and Bergenfield. They will be held in September.

March 12

Large swaths of daily life in New Jersey began shutting down to avoid spread of coronavirus.

Several public school districts announce they will close beginning next week.

The Newark Archdiocese cancels Mass on Sunday and will close schools next week. 

Gov. Murphy recommends against holding any gatherings with 250 or more people including concerts and sporting events.

Concert venues like Bergen PAC close. Annual events like the Montclair Film Festival are postponed.

New Jersey courts suspend all new jury trials until further notice.

NJ Transit reports ridership is down 20% on buses and trains, but service will continue to be normal.

Six more corornavirus cases are announced in New Jersey. They include: 

• A 16-year-old girl from Englewood who was admitted to Englewood hospital
• A 66-year-old Montclair woman who is hospitalized at Mountainside Hospital
• A 51-year-old Butler man who is hospitalized at Chilton Medical Center who had exposure to someone with the virus
• A 23-year-old Bridgewater man who may have been exposed to the virus from close contact to a Pennsylvania patient
• A 53-year-old Manalapan man who is hospitalized at CentraState hospital and had exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19
• A female from Teaneck whose age is unknown. Officials didn’t know if she was hospitalized. She was exposed at a synagogue carnival on March 1.

Bergen County now has 13 cases – the highest in the state. Officials label the county as a moderate risk.

There are now four cases in Englewood, one Fort Lee resident, two cases in Bergenfield, five cases in Teaneck and one Little Ferry case, a patient who earlier this week had become the first New Jersey resident to die from coronavirus.

Thirty-seven more people statewide are being investigated.

March 13

New Jersey announces 21 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 50. 

Of those, two are in Bergen County, which leads the state with 15.

Other new cases were reported in: 

• Monmouth: 3
• Essex: 2
• Morris: 2 
• Hudson: 2
• Middlesex: 2
• Ocean: 1
• Mercer: 1
• Burlington: 1
• Passaic: 1  

No new deaths are reported, but officials say they are investigating whether a recent death was due to coronavirus.

Among those diagnosed is a prominent physician – Dr. James Pruden, head of emergency services at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.

Murphy said it was inevitable that all schools in the state will soon close for an undetermined amount of time.

Among the day’s other developments: 

• Bergen County orders all movie theaters to close. The county zoo is closed. American Dream will be shut down for a month.
• The state is expected to receive 84,000 respirators, 200,000 surgical face masks and thousands of face shields for health care workers.
• All residents who have their driver’s license, auto registration, or vehicle inspection due for renewal by May 31 will receive a two-month extension.
• All utility shut-off orders for customers with unpaid bills have been suspended for the time being. 
• The state is working to receive federal waivers to ensure that schoolchildren in districts retain access to a healthy lunch that they normally would have received at school.

March 14

Gov. Murphy announces the second coronavirus death in New Jersey – a woman in her 50s who was being treated at CentraState Medical Center in Monmouth County.

The number of coronavirus cases continues to climb in New Jersey, as testing becomes more available. The state reports 19 new cases bringing the total to 69 statewide.

Teaneck officials call for all residents to self-quarantine and only leave their residences for food and medicine as the township grapples with the most coronavirus cases (18) in the state.

Officials are working to set up a “widespread testing center” at Bergen Community College in Paramus.

Hospitals begin taking more steps to contain and test for the virus.

St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson begins barring visitors.

Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck and Morristown Hospital erect tents outside to test for coronavirus.

Some towns begin ordering the closure of businesses that attract many people. Hoboken closes gyms, day care centers and movie theaters along with playgrounds and ballfields.

State prisons suspend visits for 30 days.

March 15

The number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey shoots up to 98 with 31 new cases added.

Bergen County had seven new cases, for a total of 32 cases, according to the site, and Monmouth and Middlesex counties each have 12.

Gov. Murphy says he is considering more aggressive steps — including closing all schools statewide and a possible curfew — to slow the spread.

Hospitals continue to burn through supplies of personal protective equipment. Holy Name Medical Center, at the center of the outbreak in Teaneck, is using 700 to 1,000 sets of masks, gowns, face shields and gloves daily.

With at least 18 cases in Teaneck the most of any one town in New Jersey, local officials order the closing of many businesses including restaurants, bars, gyms, nail salons and other places where larger groups gather. The order allows only one member of a family to enter a supermarket at one time to limit the number of people. 

Bergen County officials say they are considering a similar order for the county’s other 69 municipalities. 

The Motor Vehicle Commission announces it will close for two weeks.

Towns that have bustling restaurant scenes like Montclair and Hoboken order restaurants to provide only takeout meals.

March 16

A 90-year-old man becomes New Jersey’s third coronavirus casualty, Gov. Phil Murphy announces. The Saddle Brook man died from complications due to the coronavirus at Hackensack University Medical Center. 

New Jersey officials announce 80 new coronavirus cases bringing the statewide total to 178. It is the biggest surge yet.

A wide range of businesses in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are ordered to close indefinitely at 8 p.m.: restaurants, bars, movie theaters, casinos and gyms.

Bergen County Executive James Tedesco orders all malls in the county to close.

Gov. Phil Murphy mobilizes the National Guard to help in containment efforts.

Murphy asks New Jerseyans not to leave their homes from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to help avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Restaurants can offer takeout and delivery services. Supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and medical offices will remain open.

Gatherings of 50 or more people are not allowed.

As expected, Murphy orders all schools statewide to close.

Edgewater and Leonia tell students and staff at two schools (George Washington and Anna C. Scott) to self-quarantine after staff members test positive for the virus.

State officials announce that all state parks would remain open for “healthful passive recreation.”

March 17

St. Patrick’s Day comes to New Jersey with few, if any, public celebrations as bars close the night before.

Gov. Phil Murphy announces all malls and indoor amusement centers to close as the state’s coronavirus cases rise to 267 as more testing is done.

Other retail stores begin curtailing their hours.

The Attorney General’s Office warns 82 more businesses over price gouging for coronavirus.

Officials make preparations to open two drive-thru test sites at Bergen Community College in Paramus and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. 

Hoboken requires residents to stay at home unless they are traveling for work, getting food or exercising in what appears to be the strictest restrictions on movement in New Jersey since the coronavirus outbreak.

March 18

Two more New Jerseyans die in the coronavirus outbreak, bringing the statewide total to five. Both were women (one from Essex County, one from Hudson County) over 60 years old and had other underlying medical conditions.

Officials also announce 162 cases for a total of 427 statewide. 

Bergen County continues to be the virus epicenter for the state, with 27 new cases, for a total of 113.

About 55% of all cases are or were hospitalized.

Gov. Phil Murphy says New Jersey could be short by upwards of 300,000 hospital beds in the coming months and doctors may be forced to make the “agonizing” decision to deny care to victims of COVID-19 if the state doesn’t get federal help.

Offiicals say they are working to reopen Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, Gloucester County, with a 300-bed capacity for acute care. 

Gun store owners report sales are up especially from first-time buyers.

March 19

State officials confirm another four deaths related to complications from coronavirus as new cases statewide surge by 318 to a total of 742.

The four deaths are:

• Bergen County man in his 30s
• Monmouth County woman, 70s
• Ocean County man, 70s
• Essex County man, 60s

While health officials say those at greatest risk from the virus are over 60 years old and have underlying medical conditions, the youngest case so far in New Jersey is a 3-year-old child. The oldest is 95.

Bergen County continues to be the virus epicenter for the state, with 194 cases, a jump of 80 on Wednesday. Essex County has 62 people with the disease, Middlesex has 60, Hudson has 54 and Monmouth has 45.

A record number of New Jerseyans are applying for unemployment benefits. From March 8 to March 14, claims jumped nearly 21 percent to 9,467 compared to the same week in 2019.

NJ Transit officials request a $1.25 billion bailout to account for losses the agency is experiencing with ridership down 88%.

Gov. Phil Murphy signs a law and executive order that prevents residents from being evicted or losing their homes to foreclosure during the crisis.

Murphy also orders the closing at 8 p.m. of personal care businesses that can’t comply with social distancing, such as barbers, salons and tattoo parlors.

Elections for March and April are pushed back to May 12 and will be only vote-by-mail.

An employee at an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth tests positive for thecoronavirus.

March 20

New Jersey reports 2 new deaths related to complications of the coronavirus bringing the total to 11, while the number of cases statewide increased to 890, with 155 new cases.

Among the new deaths are a Bergen County man in his 50s and an Essex County man in his 30s.

In Paramus, hundreds of drivers in cars line up in the early morning hours outside Bergen County College to be tested for coronavirus as the largest testing facility in North Jersey opens.

Health workers manage to test 654 at the site before shutting down operations.

The National Guard is sent in to assist with crowd control. 

March 21

Gov. Phil Murphy orders all nonessential businesses to close indefinitely and orders nearly all residents to stay home starting at 9 p.m. Saturday.

He also cancels gatherings of any number, including parties, weddings and religious ceremonies, joining New York, Pennsylvania, California and other states taking more draconian measures to stop the surging levels of the novel coronavirus

Businesses offering essential services will remain open, including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware stores, laundromats, pet stores, mail and restaurants that offer only takeout out and delivery.

Murphy announces five new deaths caused by complications related to coronavirus bringing the total 16. They are

• a man in his 50s from Monmouth County
• a man in his 80s from Essex County 
• a man in his 40s from Bergen County
• a man in his 90s from Bergen County
• a woman in her 70s from Morris County

In Bergen County, the state’s first mass testing center for coronavirus is declared to be at capacity 15 minutes after opening Saturday as hundreds of cars stood in line for the site’s second day of operation.

Flights in and out of the New York region are halted for a brief time after an alert was issued because of staffing issues with an air traffic control tower at JFK International Airport.  An air traffic controller trainee tested positive and the control tower had to sanitized.

March 22

As the state shuts down, New Jersey reports 4 more deaths related to complications from the virus, bringing the statewide total to 20.

There are also 590 new cases of the virus, bringing the statewide total to 1,914.

Coronavirus starts spreading at local jails and other institutions.

The Hudson County jail goes on lockdown after two inmates test positive for the coronavirus. 

Fifteen Bergen County jail inmates are placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure after a corrections officer tested positive for COVID-19.

Staff at New Jersey’s state psychiatric hospitals are taking steps to “contain and mitigate” the spread of coronavirus after a doctor and patient at Greystone Park in Parsippany tested positive for the virus.

March 23

New Jersey’s deaths related to coronavirus continue to climb, reaching 27 with seven new deaths;

Total cases rise to 2,844 with 935 new cases as testing continues to accelerate.

Among the new deaths are five men and two women, aged 57 to 91. Two had preexisting medical conditions. The deaths included: 

• two Bergen County residents
• one Essex County resident 
• one Passaic County resident
• one Union County resident
• one Warren County resident
• one Somerset County resident

Meanwhile, state officials continue to make dramatic moves to contain the spread.

Up to 1,000 inmates serving sentences in county jails will be temporarily released, under an order by New Jersey Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.

It calls for the release no later than 6 a.m. Tuesday of inmates who are serving county jail terms as a condition of probation or as a result of municipal court convictions.

No later than noon Thursday, any inmate serving county jail sentences for any other reason, including violations of probation, low-level indictable crimes, disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, will be released.

Gov. Phil Murphy orders all elective surgeries and invasive procedures for adults – both medical and dental – effective 5 p.m. on March 3/27. This applies to all operations that can be safely delayed, as determined by the patient’s doctor or dentist.

Close to $1 billion in state spending is frozen as an effort to keep the state afloat amid the pandemic.

March 24

The number of New Jersey residents who have died from coronavirus increases to 44 total out of 3,675 cases. 

The new deaths include:

• 5 Bergen County residents
• 3 Morris
• 3 Essex
• 2 Hudson
• 1 Monmouth
• 1 Union
• 1 Passaic
• 1 Camden 

Gov. Phil Murphy says the state is getting another shipment of protective equipment from the national stockpile including 200,000 N95 masks and more than 84,000 respirators.

The Bergen County testing site at Bergen Community College reaches capacity before it opens, marking the fifth day in a row the site reached capacity early.

March 25

The death toll from coronavirus rises from 44 to 62 and the number of cases increases by 736 to 4,402.

Here is the county breakdown of the 18 new deaths:

• Ocean (4)
• Essex (3)
• Monmouth (2)
• Bergen (1)
• Burlington (1)
• Cumberland (1)
• Hudson (1)
• Middlesex (1)
• Morris (1)
• Passaic (1)
• Somerset (1)
• Union (1)

Gov. Phil Murphy orders all childcare centers to close by April 1 unless they can certify that they are caring only for the children of essential workers.

A mass testing site for Passaic County is opened at William Paterson University. It is not nearly as crowded as its Bergen counterpart because it is open only to Passaic County residents who have a doctor’s note. 

March 26

Officials announce 2,492 additional cases – by far the highest total for a single day. There are now 6,876 cases in New Jersey.

Officials report 19 new deaths, bringing the total to 81.

New Jersey has an infection rate of 31.7% with 6,137 positive tests out of 19,364 tests performed.

The state’s 43 of its 375 long term care facilities lie nursing homes have at least one resident who has tested positive.

President Donald Trump approves a Major Disaster Declaration for New Jersey, making federal funding available to the state to aid in the response to the coronavirus outbreak. 

March 27

New Jersey officials report 27 new deaths for a total of 108. Total cases surge to 8,825 with 1,982 new cases.

That’s a 17,500% increase from two weeks ago when total cases statewide were only 50.

New deaths were reported in the following counties:

• Bergen (7)
• Middlesex (4)
• Essex (3)
• Monmouth (3)
• Ocean (3)
• Somerset (3)
• Morris (2)
• Hudson (1)
• Gloucester (1)

Murphy calls on anyone with medical experience to help volunteer at four new field hospitals at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, the Atlantic City Convention Center, and the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, which will have two units.

Ten federal immigration detainees with chronic health conditions are set free from the Bergen, Essex and Hudson county jails after a judge orders they be released because they face serious risks of death or injury if they remain confined. 

A day after announcing that it will close three large parks, Bergen County orders all parks to close to limit transmission.

In a bit of good news, one of the first medical workers to be infected is recovering after being in critical condition. Dr. James Pruden, 70, of St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson is breathing on his own for the first time in weeks.

March 28

New Jersey officials report 2,289 new positive COVID-19 cases for a statewide total of 11,124.

There are 32 more deaths for a total of 140. The breakdown by county is:

• Bergen (7)
• Union (7)
• Middlesex (5)
• Morris (3)
• Essex (2)
• Hudson (2)
• Passaic (2)
• Ocean (1)
• Somerset (1)
• Sussex (1)
• Warren (1)

Murphy announces that five major banks and state-chartered institutions in New Jersey will offer a 90-day grace period on residential mortgage payments for borrowers impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Murphy also announces $146 million in funding to help hospitals prepare for the surge in patients. 

New Jersey is requiring all hospitals and medical facilities to provide a daily update on their supplies of protective medical equipment, including ventilators, and to report how many patients are hospitalized.

President Trump suggests that he would quarantine New York, New Jersey and parts of Connecticut. But hours later after some questioned whether he had the legal authority to do so, Trump pulls back and said the region was under a an advisory to avoid all non-essential travel – a policy that had already been in place in each state.

March 29

Gov. Phil Murphy announces 2,316 new positive cases and 21 new deaths throughout New Jersey, which has the second largest outbreak behind New York.

The state now has 13,386 total cases including 161 known deaths. New York has nearly 60,000 cases and is approaching 1,000 deaths, statewide.

Around 700 police officers throughout New Jersey have tested positive for the coronavirus.

March 30

Officials announce 3,347 additional cases resulting in 16,636 total statewide. Only New York has a higher statewide number.

There are 37 new deaths related to coronavirus bringing New Jerseys total to 198.

Gov. Phl Murphy says New Jersey will run out of ICU beds to care for coronavirus patients within the next two weeks unless the public increases the practice of social distancing to historically unprecedented levels.

Officials have been warning of infections spreading at nursing homes for weeks and it now becomes deadly. 

Eight residents of Lakeland Health Care Center in Wanaque died from the virus in recent days, officials announce.

The United States Naval Hospital Ship Comfort arrives in New York to treat patients sufferng from something other than COVID19 to take pressure off area hospitals.

March 31

New Jersey sees its highest jump in deaths – 69 – brining the statewide total tp 267.

Among them are two young men: Passaic firefighter Israel Tolentino, 33, and Cliffside Park baseball coach Ben Luderer, 30.

Officals also announce 2,196 additional cases for a statewide total of 18,696 cases.

New Jersey has done a total of 44,330 tests with 38.92% of the tests coming back positive. 

Longterm care facilities remain a big concern for New Jersey. Of the 375 longterm care facilities in the state, 81 have confirmed at least one coronavirus case.

April 1

Officials say the expected and dreaded surge of coronavirus cases is beginning as the death toll continues to increase sharply each day.

Officials say 91 people died over the past 24 hours for a total of 355 since the outbreak began.

The number of coronavirus cases rises by 3,649 for a statewide total of 22,255.

Officials begin trying to secure refrigerated trucks to hold the dead.

Nursing homes continue to be hard hit.

More than 70 residents of long-term care facilities have died from the virus, accounting for 21% of the state’s 355 total deaths due to coronavirus.

Across the state, more than 70 residents of long-term care facilities have died from the virus, accounting for 21% of the state’s 355 total deaths due to coronavirus as of Wednesday.

April 2

The death toll increases substantially with 182 new deaths for a statewide total of 537.

There are 3,489 additional cases for 25,590 statewide.

Unemployment continues to grow exponentially.

Officials report that a record 206,253 New Jerseyans filed for unemployment insurance last week in the immediate days following mass business closures, banned gatherings and a stay-at-home order to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Workers finish building a 250-bed field hospital, the first of four planned for New Jersey, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. It will take patients from hospitals to make room in those hospitals for coronavirus patients during the expected surge.

April 3

Murphy orders all flags to fly at half-mast in honor of the victims until the emergency is lifted.

New Jersey reports 113 new deaths for a statewide total of 646. 

Total coronavirus cases rise to 29,895 with 4,372 additional cases.

April 4

The death toll keeps rising to near-unimaginable levels just a few weeks ago.

New Jersey reports 200 new deaths. That brings the statewide total to 846, surpassing the number of NJ fatalities on 9/11.

The new deaths are in the following counties:

• Bergen (47)
• Essex (37)
• Ocean (21)
• Mercer (8)
• Morris (8)
• Monmouth (6)
• Passaic (4)
• Warren (3)
• Burlington (1)
• Camden (1)
• Cumberland (1)
• Somerset (1)
• Sussex (1)

There are 4,331 additional cases fora total of 34,124 cases statewide.

In order to avoid overburdening Jersey Shore medical facilities, Murphy signs an order that allows towns and counties to restrict short term rentals and keep residents in their primary home.

April 5

Officials announce 3,482 new cases for a total of 37,505.

Officials also report 71 new deaths Sunday. There have been 917 deaths related to coronavirus in New Jersey. These are the totals by county as of April 5:

• Bergen (189)
• Essex (172)
• Hudson (87)
• Middlesex (80)
• Union (71)
• Ocean (62)
• Monmouth (58)
• Morris (55)
• Passaic (42)
• Somerset (26)
• Mercer (16)
• Burlington (11)
• Sussex (9)
• Camden (8)
• Warren (6)
• Gloucester (3)
• Cape May (2)
• Cumberland (2)
• Hunterdon (2)
• Salem (2)
• Atlantic (1)
• Unknown (13)

April 6 

A sliver of good news emerges.

Social distancing measures and business closures in New Jersey appear to be working in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the growth rate in positive cases is declining, officials say.

The growth rate declined from 24% on March 30 to 12.18% as of Monday, April 6.

New Jersey officials estimate that in a worst-case scenario, the state will see 509,000 infected individuals, reaching its surge on May 11. In the best case, New Jersey will see a peak of 86,000 cases on April 19 — doubling the current number in less than two weeks — the model predicts.

Still, 3,663 new cases are reported for a total of 41,090 statewide. There are 86 new deaths for a total of 1,003.

April 7

Gov. Murphy orders state and county parks to close after weeks of promoting them as recreational havens during the crisis.

The state reports 3,361 new cases, down from 3,663 new cases on Monday. That brings the total for the pandemic to 44,416.

There are 232 deaths reported, up from 86 on Monday. The total number of deaths now stands at 1,232.

A total of 50,558 people have tested negative for the virus.

Bergen County has the largest total number of cases (7533) and deaths (263) in the state.

April 8

More horrifying news emerges from New Jersey’s nursing homes.

An outbreak of coronavirus at the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus has killed at least 10 residents and likely contributed to the deaths of some 27 more over the past two weeks. 

The New Jersey National Guard is sent into the home to assist.

Murphy orders non-essential construction projects to shut down. He also announces the postponement of the June 2 primary elections to July 7.

The state reports 3,021 new cases and 272 new deaths. That brought the totals to 47,437 cases and 1,504 deaths.

A total of 52,979 people have tested negative for the virus.

Here are the current totals by county:

• Bergen: 7,874 cases, 314 deaths
• Essex: 5,598 cases, 276 deaths
• Hudson: 5,437 cases, 122 deaths
• Union: 4,831 cases, 125 deaths
• Passaic: 4,372 cases, 71 deaths
• Middlesex: 4,156 cases, 139 deaths
• Monmouth: 3,038 cases, 86 deaths
• Ocean: 2,856 cases, 101 deaths
• Morris: 2,468 cases, 102 deaths
• Somerset: 1,189 cases, 46 deaths
• Mercer: 992 cases, 28 deaths
• Camden: 838 cases, 22 deaths
• Burlington: 801 cases, 17 deaths
• Sussex: 357 cases, 21deaths
• Gloucester: 340 cases, 7 deaths
• Warren: 289 cases, 1 death
• Hunterdon: 255 cases, 2 deaths
• Atlantic: 168 cases, 4 deaths
• Cape May: 100 cases, 3 deaths
• Cumberland: 80 cases, 2 deaths
• Salem: 36 cases, 3 deaths

April 9

The state reports 3,561 new cases for a total of 54,588. There are 232 additional deaths for a total of 1,932. 

There are 7,570 people in the state hospitalized with coronavirus. Of those, 1,663 are on ventilators. 

Bergen County has 8,343 cases and 345 deaths.

April 10

Murphy orders “low risk” inmates  to be placed on temporary home confinement or granted parole if already eligible through an expedited process.

Officials also reported that 7,363 people in the state are hospitalized with coronavirus. Of those 1,551 were on ventilators. 

Here are the current totals of cases and deaths by county:

• Bergen: 8,928, 390
• Essex: 6,580, 352
• Hudson: 6,411, 163
• Union: 5,575, 161
• Middlesex: 5,060, 168
• Passaic: 5,017, 101
• Monmouth: 3,496, 107
• Ocean: 3,269, 121
• Morris: 2,771, 135
• Somerset: 1,523, 69
• Mercer: 1,282, 39
• Camden: 1,072, 29
• Burlington: 954, 22
• Gloucester: 447, 8
• Sussex: 413, 26
• Warren: 337, 15
• Hunterdon: 293, 7
• Atlantic: 211, 6
• Cumberland: 138, 6
• Cape May: 116, 5
• Salem: 46, 3

April 11

Murphy orders mass transit agencies to cut the capacity on all trains, buses, light rail vehicles, and paratransit vehicles to 50% of their maximum.

All customers must wear a face covering into restaurants and bars that remain in operation as they get their takeout orders.

An additional 3,599 New Jerseyans test positive brining the statewide total to 58,151.

251 more New Jerseyans die to COVID-19 related complications for a total of 2,183.

April 12

Easter Sunday arrives with empty pews and some church services conducted online.

New Jersey reports 3,733 new positive COVID-19 cases bringing the statewide total to 61,850.

Another 168 New Jerseyans die to COVID-19 related complications, bringing the statewide total to 2,350.

New Jersey secures 200 more ventilators from the federal government.

April 13

Bergen County, the epicenter of New Jersey’s outbreak, surpasses 10,000 reported coronavirus cases, a number that is greater than some of countries hard hit by the pandemic like India and Ireland. It represents 2% of all cases in the U.S.

Statewide, officials report 3,219 additional cases bringing the total to 64,584. There are 94 new deaths for a total of 2,443.

New Jersey and six other states along the I-95 corridor will form an advisory council to begin planning when and how to reopen a vast region that includes the areas hit hardest by the coronavirus, as they face pressure by President Donald Trump to ease restrictions and return the country to some sense of normalcy. 

The coronavirus has continued to devastate the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus in recent days, killing eight more residents since Saturday and sending dozens to the hospital. The eight deaths bring the official COVID-19 death toll at the facility to 24.

April 14

New Jersey reports 365 news deaths – a record for one day – bringing the total to 2,805. Cases rise to 68,824 statewide.

Coronaviruses cases and COVID-19 deaths in Bergen, Hudson and Essex counties continue to climb as Gov. Phil Murphy and state officials express optimism that the state is turning a corner in this crisis.

Combined, the three North Jersey counties have the highest number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey, accounting for 40% of the state’s total cases

Murphy says 90 nurses from the Veterans Administration will be deployed to the hard-hit veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park where dozens have died.

Murphy said the state was “looking at a number of different alternatives” on how to handle the rest of the school year.

April 15

Deaths surge past 3,000.

But North Jersey hospital executives say they can handle the expected surge in COVID-19 patients.  

The trend line is flatter. More patients are being sent home. Test results come back more quickly. Ventilators to help the most critically ill have arrived from the state’s central repository. Personal protective equipment is in hand for a few days, a previously alarming timeline that now seems reassuring.   

Still, officials report 351 new deaths for a total of 3,156 deaths.  

There are 2,625 additional cases bringing the statewide total to 71,030. 

Hospitals have begun accepting blood plasma donations from COVID-19 patients who have recovered in an attempt to treat those with the illness with antibodies.

April 16

The closure of all New Jersey public schools is extended until at least May 15.

Governor Phil Murphy directs state law enforcement officials to investigate a Sussex County nursing home where police found 18 bodies in what state officials have called a “makeshift” facility at the Andover Rehabilitation and Subacute Care I and II.

On the labor front, New Jersey has received close to 716,000 claims in four weeks. That’s almost one and a half times what the state received in all of 2019, or about 492,000 applications.

New Jersey sees 362 new deaths for a total of 3,518.

There are 4,391 new cases for a statewide total of 75,317.

April 17

New Jersey’s nursing homes continue to be hard hit by the virus/

Newly released statistics show residents of long-term care facilities account for 40% of the state’s coronavirus fatalities, even though they represent less than 1% of the state’s population.

Half of Bergen County’s 714 fatalities — and 40% of the state’s 3,840 fatalities — have occurred among residents of long-term care facilities.

Officials report 323 new deaths for a total of 3,840. 

There are 3,250 additional cases for 78,467 statewide.

April 18

The intensive lockdown of New Jersey yields some positive results, even as deaths climb to 4,070.

Hospitalizations were down with 377 admissions representing a dramatic drop from days and weeks before. And in another hopeful sign, 814 patients were discharged from hospitals in the 24 hours that ended at 10 p.m Friday, with 40% — or 1,655 — coming from long-term care facilities.

Gov. Murphy Murphy cautions against people calling for the state to reopen prematurely a day after a small protest in Trenton called for the lifting of restrictions. In particular, he blasts Atlantic County surrogate Jim Curcio, who posted a message on his Facebook page calling for the state to reopen immediately without restrictions.

April 19

New Jersey nursing homes continue to be a cause of concern.

Officials report 10,500 COVID-19 cases at 420 long-term care facilities across the state.

There are 132 new deaths for a statewide total of 4,202 with 40% of deaths, or 1,655, reported from long-term care facilities.

There are 3,915 additional cases for a statewide total of 85,301. 

New Jersey has completed a total of 155,289 tests with 45.1% of the tests coming back positive.

April 20

Despite calls from some businesses, Gov. Phil Murphy maintains that reopening the economy today would backfire on New Jersey by creating a large spike in COVID-19 cases. He says he will announce benchmarks this week that are needed before reopening New Jersey.

Officials report 177 new deaths for a total of  4,377. There are 3,528 additional cases bringing the statewide number to 88,806. 

New Jersey officials on Monday released a list of 425 nursing homes and health care facilities where coronavirus outbreaks have killed almost 41 percent of residents statewide.

April 21

Slowly, some good signs emerge.

Officials say the rate of hospitalizations has flattened out and fewer of those admitted need to be placed on ventilators.

Still, officials report 379 new deaths for a total of 4,753 statewide. 

There are 3,643 additional cases bringing the statewide total to 92,387. 

Gov. Murphy expresses frsutration with the number of deaths from nursing homes.

“The overwhelming reality is there are far too many people dying in these facilities,” he says. “The standards and the protocols, the unevenness is incredibly disappointing.”

April 22

As of April 22, there were 95,865 reported cases in the state, including 3,551 additional cases disclosed Wednesday. 

New Jersey has completed a total of 172,612 tests with 44.6% of the tests coming back positive as of Wednesday.

Long-term care facilities continue to be a concern. There are 11,608 reported COVID-19 cases at 438 long-term care facilities across the state.

There have been 5,063 deaths related to coronavirus in New Jersey with 40% of deaths, or 2,050, reported from long-term care facilities. Officials reported 314 new deaths Wednesday. 

In New Jersey, 7,210 individuals with confirmed or potential cases of COVID-19 were hospitalized as of 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Of those hospitalized patients, 943 patients are in intensive care, 1,040 are in critical care and 5,247 are in medical beds. 

The state is using 50.4% of its statewide ventilator capacity, with 1,570 patients on ventilators.

There were 745 patients discharged in the last 24 hours.

An hour-long TV program featuring Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jon Stewart, Halsey and more was broadcast to raise moneyfor New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. One of the emotional highlights was Fountains of Wayne playing for the first time since their lead singer Adam Schlesinger died from COVID-19 weeks ago.

April 23

New Jersey is gearing up to do mass testing of its citizens.

A central part of that is a new saliva test with a 48-hour turnaround developed by Rutgers scientists that will test upwards of 10,00 residents a day preparing to expand that goal to 20,000 a day. 

The state has only tested about 2% of its population and tests are limited mostly to people with symptoms like a cough, fever or trouble breathing.

Officials report 307 new deaths for a total of 5,368 statewide.

New Jersey is on the precipice of surpassing 100,000 cases. Officials report 4,247 new cases for a statewide total of 99,989.

April 24

A day of mixed news as hospitalizations decrease but the rate of infection grows in South Jersey.

Coronavirus cases race past 100,000 with 3,047 new cases for 102,196 statewide.

Officials report 253 additional lives lost for a total of 5,617.

April 25

An encouraging sign emerges as discharges from hospitals have outpaced admissions for the past few days.

But Gov. Phil Murphy notes that New Jersey has lost more residents to coronavirus than in World War I, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined.

There are 249 new deaths for a total of 5,863. There are also 3,457 new cases for a statewide total of 105,523

April 26

Officials report 75 new deaths statewide – one of the lowest figures in recent weeks.

There have been 5,938 deaths related to coronavirus in New Jersey, with 1,865 confirmed and 981 suspected in long-term care facilities.

The racial breakdown of those who have died in New Jersey is: 53.2% white, 20.3% black, 16.3% Hispanic, 5.2% Asian and 5% classified as other.

There are 109,038 reported cases in the state, including 3,730 new cases. 

April 27

Gov. Phil Murphy offers some broad plans to reopen but his order to limit movement remains in effect.

Murphy reiterated that four things are needed before reopening New Jersey: make sure COVID-19 cases are going down, expand testing and turnaround for results, develop a robust contact tracing program, ensure safe isolation for the infected.

But Murphy offers no statistical benchmarks that need to be met or any anticipated dates.

April 28

NJ coronavirus cases rise to 113,856 on Tuesday as deaths surpass 6,440.

Deaths related to coronavirus in Bergen County surpass 1,000.

Gov. Phil Murphy Tuesday announces the members of the “Restart and Recovery Commission,” a team tasked with devising a plan on how and when to restart New Jersey’s economy,

New Jersey homeowners may have another 20 days to pay their second-quarter tax bill without fearing the usual interest charges or penalties.

Hundreds of protesters descend on the state capital to rail against Murphy’s lockdown orders and level accusations of fascism and tyranny.

April 29

In the first move to return to normalcy, Gov. Phil Murphy announces that all state parks will reopen on May 2. Counties have the option to open their parks as do golf course operators.

 There are 2,481 additional cases for a statewide total of 116,264.

Officials report 329 new deaths statewide for a total of 6,770.

April 30

New Jersey ends its second month of the crisis with some promising news: 

Coronavirus hospitalizations and ventilator usage in New Jersey are at their lowest levels since the beginning of April.

The positive news is an indication that New Jersey has made it through the coronavirus peak and is beginning to flatten the curve.

State health commissioner Judith Persichilli said Thursday that the state reached its peak on April 13 and 14. At that time, 8,200 individuals with confirmed or potential cases of COVID-19 were hospitalized.

May 1

As hospitalizations continue to trend down, officials began assessing the awful toll coronavirus took on New Jersey in April.

This week in New Jersey, another 1,608 people were reported to have died from COVID-19.

That capped a deadly month in which 6,663 people died from COVID-19 and brought the statewide total to 7,538 deaths from COVID-19 since the first case was reported in early March.

Since Feb. 1, when the coronavirus was just beginning to hit New Jersey, the state’s death rate is 30 percent higher than normal.

May 2

Many parks and golf courses open across New Jersey for the first time in weeks as the coronavirus curve appears to be trending downward.

Hospitalizations continue to drop significantly, with 5,713 patients hospitalized for COVID19. That’s a drop of more than 1,000 patients in one week.

New Jersy has 2,912 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 123,717.

An additional 205 New Jerseyans have died, bringing the total of loss to 7,742. 

May 3

Northeast states will create a regional supply chain for personal protective equipment and medical supplies in an effort to save money and effectively distribute gear needed to reopen economies in the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The seven states — Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — will also develop policies for protective gear across their health care systems in the likelihood of a second wave of COVID-19.

Coronavirus cases surpass 126,000 as deaths rise to 7,871 statewide.

May 4

New Jersey schools will stay closed for the reaminder of the school year, Gov. Phil Murphy announces.

The announcement means the state’s 1.4 million public grade school students will finish the academic year via remote instruction from their homes. Whether they will reopen for summer school or in the fall is yet to be determined.

Hospitalizations continue to decline but there are 1,621 new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to 128,269. 7,910.

The state reports 45 new deaths for a total of 7,910.

May 5

The number of deaths at New Jersey’s nursing homes and other long-term care facilities continues to grow. About half of New Jersey’s deaths are from these facilities.

Gov. Murphy sets up a hotline for nursing home complaints and asks the Attorney General to investigate complaints.

There are 2,494 additional positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to 130,593.

There are 334 new deaths for a total of 8,244.

May 6

Gov. Phil Murphy extends the pubic health emergency by another 30 days saying that while the worst appears to be over, there are still thousands of New Jerseyans still in the hospital battling COVID-19. 

Officials report 308 more deaths, bringing the statewide total to 8,549.

Murphy says he’s bringing a team of experts to help tackle the challenges at long-term care facilities where about half of the deaths have occurred.

May 7

Some disturbing news emerges: At least 12 New Jersey children have shown signs of a rare inflammatory illness in children believed linked to coronavirus, mirroring a worrisome new manifestation of the pandemic in New York and other countries battling the novel virus. 

The syndrome is similar to a rare childhood inflammatory disease known as Kawasaki disease. All the children have survived and were discharged.

Officials report 254 more deaths for a total of 8,801.

Some good news: hospitalizations re down by 40 percent in the past three weeks.

Officials report that more than 1 million New Jersey workers filed for unemployment insurance over the course of two months since the state ordered business closures.

That’s more than double all the claims workers in the state submitted during the whole of 2019, which was 492,000 applications.

More than 642,000 New Jersey workers have received $1.9 billion in benefits since mid-March.

May 8 

New Jersey this week had its first child die from complications of COVID-19, state officials say. The unidentified 4-year-old child had underlying conditions, but no other information was released.

There are 1,985 news cases and 162 new deaths. Hospitalizations continue to drop but deaths from nursing homes increase.

A mobile testing vehicle will travel next week to test Bergen County residents with or without symptoms of coronavirus.

Rutgers receives emergency authorization from the FDA for its salavia test.

May 9

There are 1,759 new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to 137,085.

Officials report 166 New Jerseyans died from COVID-19, bringing the total of loss of life to 9,116.

Another sign of encouragement: NJ officials say they no longer need the services of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which spent 45 days expanding the state’s hospital capacity by 1,500 beds. 

May 10

Officials report 1,503 additional cases for a total of 138,532 statewide.

There are 140 more lives lost, pushing NJ’s total to 9,255.

May 20 

Cases hit another milestone with New Jersey passing the 150,000 mark with 1,670 additional cases bringing the statewide total to 150,399.

Select Walmart locations through New Jersey will provide drive-up coronavirus testing to bolster the state’s screening level.

May 26

After a subdued Memorial Day weekend that had seen beaches reopen, Gov. Phil Murphy announces that high schools will be able to hold graduation ceremonies beginning July 6.

Schools may have to hold multiple ceremonies due to social distancing restrictions.

Elective surgeries begin at hospitals and surgery centers.

Professional sports teams in New Jersey may return to training and even competition, Murphy says.

Total cases rise to 155,764 and deaths to 11,191.

June 1

Gov. Phil Murphy announces Stage 2 of his reopening plan.

Opening on June 15:

• Restaurants can offer outdoor dining.
• Retail stores can begin welcoming customers back into stores.

Opening on June 22:

• Hair salons and barbershops

Opening to be determined:

• Gyms and health clubs

The number of new cases, deaths, hospitalizations and intensive care admittances continue to drop.

New Jersey’s death toll rises to 11,721. Cases stand at 160,918.

June 5

New Jersey reached two COVID-19 milestones on Friday but only one was welcomed. 

Deaths due to complications from the virus surpassed 12,000 while hospitalizations dropped below 2,000 for the first time in more than two months.

As dozens of protests are held statewide in the wake of the George Floyd killing, Gov. Phil Murphy is urging those who can’t social distance at the rallies to get COVID-19 tests as infectious disease specialists fear there may be a surge in cases.

New Jersey continues to slowly reopen:

Motor Vehicle Commission will begin a phased reopening starting June 15 for drop-off and pick-up transactions, and a tentatively scheduled June 29 for road tests and new licenses.

June 9

New Jersey continues its slow march toward reopening.

Murphy announces Tuesday that the limit on the number of people allowed to gather would increase effective immediately.

The number of people allowed to gather indoors is now 25 percent of the building’s capacity or 50 people, whichever is lower. This includes religious services but not indoor dining.

The limit for outdoor gatherings will now be 100 people and he anticipates that limit will rise to 250 on June 22 and 500 people on July 3.

 Murphy also lifts the stay-at-home order that has been in effect since the height of the coronavirus outbreak.

New Jersey residents were initially told on March 21 to stay at home unless they needed to leave for essential items or if they were an essential worker. 

Scott Fallon covers the environment for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news about how New Jersey’s environment affects your health and well-being,  please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: fallon@northjersey.com Twitter: @newsfallon