Gov. Murphy: Death toll is rising but social distancing is working
Murphy: NJ thanks you
Gov. Phil Murphy says New Jersey has 3,250 new confirmed cases, bringing the state total to 78,467. He says 323 more people have died, bringing the death toll to 3,840. Murphy says he knows social distancing is hard but all New Jerseyans have to stay the course.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey's COVID-19 death toll climbed by 323 people to 3,840, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.
The state now has more than 78,000 people with the virus, the governor said during a news conference in Trenton. He said the number of positive tests for the virus and deaths continue to climb daily, but noted there are signs that social distancing is working: he specifically cited data showing that the rate for the number of positive tests doubling each day has now been lengthening across the state.
Meanwhile, the state's nursing homes continue to face an onslaught from the virus.
Nearly every nursing home in the state has at least one case, with 1,530 of the deaths from COVID-19 coming from residents at these facilities, according to Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. "I know social distancing is hard. I know it's not fun. I know it's going to be a few more weeks, at least," Murphy said. "If you want to be mad at me, go ahead. But, my number one goal—my entire focus—is on defeating this virus and getting our state back to where we can reopen."
Crisis at NJ nursing homes
Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli says that 384 long-term care facilities are reporting confirmed COVID-19 cases with 9,094 cases and 1,530 deaths. She says public health surveyors are visiting several sites.