Coronavirus New Jersey: More Than 2,200 COVID-19 Cases Reported As Statewide Total Soars Above 11,000
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) -- Coronavirus cases in New Jersey have now topped 11,000. On Saturday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced an additional 2,289 COVID-19 cases in the Garden State, bringing the statewide total to 11,124. Another 32 deaths were also reported, bringing the death toll in the state to 140.
Murphy and Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said many of the positive tests are from people who were tested a week earlier, and may not yet indicate any effect from the stricter rules announced last weekend. The rules restricted social interactions and the closing of non-essential businesses.
The following positive cases have been reported in our local counties:
Ocean County: 624
Mercer County: 168
Camden County: 123
Burlington County: 115
Gloucester County: 51
Atlantic County: 17
Cumberland County: 11
Cape May County: 7
To help those who might be in economic distress during the pandemic, Murphy says there will be a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments for borrowers economically impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The governor says more than 40 financial institutions have also committed to not initiating foreclosure cases or eviction proceedings for at least 60 days.
"Together, a 90-day grace period and a moratorium of foreclosures and evictions means many New Jersey families can breathe easier, keep their heads above water, and have a place they can continue to call home," Murphy said.
"To every landlord – now is a time to show some compassion, and to work with your renters to ensure they stay safe," Murphy said. "You cannot evict anyone at this time. If you try to, we're not going to take that lightly, and we will make an example out of you for violating the law."
The governor said anyone needing rental assistance can visit covid19.nj.gov and do a quick search for "rental assistance." You can find more resources through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs website.
Murphy also signed an executive order requiring designated health care facilities to report daily data on their personal protective equipment, also known as PPE, inventory to the New Jersey Department of Health.
He says the reporting will allow for a more efficient management of the flow of PPE.
"Personal protective equipment for our frontline health care workers and first responders is critically important to fighting COVID-19," Murphy said."We must work within our health care networks to ensure that we are properly disbursing the personal protective equipment we receive from the national stockpile and donations proactively. Today's executive order will allow us to more efficiently and effectively manage the flow of personal protective equipment as hospitals begin expanding their capacities to meet the need of more COVID-19 patients, and allow us to have constantly up-to-date data on bed capacity throughout the State."
The governor also said $140 million pre-payment to health care providers was made to support in COVID-19 preparations. The funding will assist with workforce demands, supplies and medications.
Murphy reminded residents to "stay at home and be smart" after police had to break up a party in Mercer County on Friday night.
"Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be," Murphy said.
Drive-thru testing centers in Bergen and Monmouth counties were open Saturday solely for first responders and health care workers who were showing symptoms. Beginning Sunday, the centers — at Bergen County College in Paramus and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel — will open on alternate days and provide up to 500 tests each day, roughly double what they each have been offering daily until now.
Murphy said the modification was made to ease pressure on staffing and resources.
A new drive-thru testing site will open on Monday at the County College of Morris in Randolph, by appointment for residents who have a referral from a health care provider.
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, or death.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
