NJ reports 200 more virus deaths, topping state's 9/11 toll
New Jersey has announced another 200 deaths from the coronavirus, with Gov. Phil Murphy saying the state has now lost nearly 100 more people than the number of residents killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Murphy on Saturday said the “particularly sobering" numbers included another 4,331 positive cases bringing the total to 34,124, and 200 more deaths of residents bringing the total to 846 “precious lives lost."
“Just as we have committed to never forgetting those lost on 9/11, we must commit to never forgetting those we are losing to this,” Murphy said, pausing for a moment of silence. On Friday, Murphy ordered flags across the state to half-staff indefinitely to commemorate people who died from COVID-19.
Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the state was sending out a crisis alert calling for more volunteers. She said nine hospitals were diverting patients Friday night.
Persichilli said that over 4,000 people in New Jersey are currently hospitalized due to coronavirus. 1,494 people are in critical care and 1,263 of those people are on ventilators.
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.
With the Associated Press.