Coronavirus Latest: New Jersey COVID-19 Cases Soar Above 16,600, At Least 200 Deaths As State Being Sent Hundreds Of Ventilators
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Hundreds of ventilators are on their way to New Jersey from the national stockpile as the number of coronavirus cases jumped above 16,600 on Monday. Gov. Phil Murphy reported more than 3,300 new cases as the statewide total soared above 16,600.
There are now at least 200 COVID-19-related deaths in the state, including a New Jersey Army National Guardsman.
In Camden County, officials announced two additional COVID-19-related deaths Monday night, bringing the county total to three. The recent deaths were a man in his 60s from Gloucester Township and a woman, also in her 60s, from Pine Hill.
"We are incredibly saddened by these tragic losses, and on behalf of the Freeholder Board and certainly the entire Camden County community, we send our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased," Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr said.
Murphy announced that after speaking on the phone with White House officials, including President Donald Trump, 300 ventilators are on their way to New Jersey from the nation's strategic stockpile. Murphy wants patients to co-vent, which means having two people connect to the same ventilator to buy time.
"This is, right now, concern number one. Following a number of conversations… I received word last night that a shipment of 300 ventilators from the Strategic National Stockpile is on its way to New Jersey," Murphy said. "This is welcome news and we are grateful and I thank the administration, but to be absolutely clear, this is far, far from ultimately we will need."
Ventilators are vital because without access to them, a person with COVID-19 can die.
"We know that our hospitals are quickly running toward full ventilator capacity," Murphy said during a Monday briefing.
State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli expects COVID-19 infections to double every six days, which is why social distancing and staying home are critical.
Murphy announced some changes and revisions to his executive order.
- An extra $70 million in SNAP will be provided to lower income residents to buy food.
- The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control relaxed its ruling to now allow home delivery of beer.
- Auto dealerships can allow remote sales with delivery and curbside pickup of the vehicle.
- Realtors can show homes on a one-on-one basis or to individual families.
- And gun shops can operate by appointment only, in-person, and is considered part of critical infrastructure due to federal law.
Murphy also told residents not to pump their own gas.
Meanwhile, a testing site at Cooper's Poynt Park in Camden is expected to start on Wednesday and will be open from noon to 4 p.m.
