NEWARK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Phil Murphy said Saturday that 205 more people had died from the coronavirus in New Jersey, bringing the state's death toll to 7,742, but he also said hospitalizations for COVID-19 have dropped "significantly" in the past week.
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New Jersey had recorded more deaths than New York state on Thursday and Friday, but Saturday's total was lower than New York, which recorded 299 new deaths.
Among those who died from the coronavirus were Charles and Elizabeth Mylod, who were married for 55 years and passed within 48 hours of each other, Murphy said. Two brothers, James "Cricket" Traverso and Dennis Traverso, both passed away from COVID-19 complications about a week apart.
Murphy said there were 2,912 new coronavirus cases in the state, bringing the total statewide to 123,717.
Hospitalizations continued to drop "significantly," Murphy said, pointing out that hospitalizations had declined by more than 1,000 in a week. There were 5,713 patients hospitalized in the state with COVID-19 Saturday, Murphy said. It was around 6,700 last weekend.
Murphy said state troopers and park police will closely watch parks and golf courses, which were set to reopen Saturday. He advised that even though they'll be open, people must still observe social distancing. Masks are not required, he said, but are recommended.
Murphy said Friday that he is bumping up the day he'll announce what the remainder of the school year will look like. He had set a deadline of May 15, but said at his daily briefing that he would announce it Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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