Coronavirus In New Jersey: Number Of Presumed Positive COVID-19 Cases Jumps To 69 In State
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) -- The number of presumed positive coronavirus cases in New Jersey has jumped to 69. On Saturday, the state announced 19 new presumed positive COVID-19 cases.
Governor Phil Murphy also announced New Jersey's second death from the coronavirus.
In South Jersey, there are seven presumed positive cases -- three in Burlington County, two in Camden County, and one each in Mercer and Ocean Counties.
The New Jersey Department of Corrections said its suspending visits for the next 30 days as of Saturday evening. Commissioner Marcus Hicks said officials recognize that families are "a critical support to the population in our care" but ensuring the health and safety of inmates, residents, staff and the public were of paramount importance.
On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy said that the state is preparing for closing schools statewide, though he stopped short of taking that step. He said it's a matter of when, not if, they close. State Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet said some 354 districts, or roughly half, in the state have closed already.
Murphy also announced that new equipment, including surgical masks and respirators, are expected to arrive from the federal government soon. Murphy said the federal Health and Human Services Department notified the state it's sending 84,000 respirators, 200,000 surgical masks and 35,000 face shields.
The state's hospitals are facing dwindling supplies, according to New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.
For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. 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. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
COURTS SUSPENSION
The chief justice of New Jersey's court system announced a two-week suspension of municipal court sessions to mitigate public exposure to the coronavirus.
Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said Saturday that individuals scheduled to appear through March 27 before a municipal court to contest a traffic or parking ticket or for a minor local ordinance violation should await notice of a new court date.
Municipal courts will continue to handle some things such as applications for temporary restraining orders, hearings in which a defendant has been detained and matters that implicate public safety. Filings and payments will continue to be accepted except where a municipality has closed the municipal court building.
Rabner earlier announced an indefinite suspension in all new jury trials, criminal and civil, in New Jersey due to the coronavirus outbreak. The order Thursday said jury trials already underway will continue and grand jury proceedings will continue pending further communication with county prosecutors and the state attorney general.
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DRIVER'S LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
State officials announced a two-month extension of expiration dates for driver's licenses as well as vehicle registrations and inspection stickers.
Murphy and Sue Fulton, chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, said the extensions apply to driver licenses expiring in March, April, and May; to registrations expiring in March, April, and May; and for inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May.
© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
