Gov. Phil Murphy today announced a 51% increase in deaths related to COVID-19, with the total of New Jerseyans who have died of coronavirus jumping from 355 to 537 since yesterday.
The total number of New Jersey residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 increased by 3,489 cases since Wednesday. The total went up from 22,255 yesterday to 35,590 today.
The state Department of Labor reported that more than 206,000 new unemployment claims were filed over the last week, and that over 362,000 New Jersey residents have filed for unemployment in the last two weeks.
Murphy said there are thousands of jobs available and urged job-seekers to visit the
An executive order authorizing the New Jersey State Police to commandeer medical supplies and equipment need for the state’s COVID-19 information hub for details was signed by Murphy today.
In what the governor is calling “Knucklehead Row,” the attorney general has criminally charged six individuals with assaulting law enforcement officers by spitting or coughing on them while claiming to have coronavirus.
“Let me be clear – we are taking a zero-tolerance policy against anyone who acts so stupidly and puts others in danger or makes them fear for their health,” Murphy said. “If you engage in such behavior, you’re going to face – at the least – fines of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in jail.”
Murphy continued to press New Jerseyans to follow social distancing policies to curb the spread of COVID-19.
He also signed an administrative order that allows blood drives to continue.
“Blood donation drives are allowed to continue in order to ensure we meet the critical medical needs of New Jerseyans during the COVID-19 outbreak,” he said. “Blood drives must undertake appropriate mitigation efforts, including incorporating social distancing where practicable.”
According to the governor, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has donated 500,000 N95 masks and 81,000 face shields to assist with New Jersey’s response efforts – more than $2.3 million worth of personal protection equipment.
Earlier today, Murphy and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez toured a new field medical station in Secaucus with a 250-bed capacity. He said new sites will follow in Edison and Atlantic City to bring the total to 1,000 new beds.