TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- New Jersey reported 24 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, but only one of the two dozen people who died passed away in July, Gov. Phil Murphy said.
"Of the deaths we're announcing today, only one occurred in July," Murphy said during a briefing Wednesday afternoon. "Again, we are incredibly proud… of the diligence with which (the state approaches) the solemn responsibility of assigning cause of death, and matching that up with death certificates, and the loss of life."
"I don't think any state in America takes this as seriously as New Jersey does," he added. "But that can take time. If you take it that seriously, it can take time."
A total of 13,787 people in New Jersey have now died of complications related to COVID-19, Murphy said. The state is also investigating 1,920 probable COVID-19 deaths.
The governor also reported 390 new positive COVID-19 test results on Wednesday, bringing the state's cumulative total to 177,645.
As of Tuesday, 423 people in the state were hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 450 people were hospitalized with probable COVID-19 cases, he said. Of those patients, 151 were in intensive care units, and 77 were on ventilators, he added.
"Our hospital trends continue in the right direction, but we're not out of the woods yet," he said. "We must remain vigilant so we don't experience a rebound of COVID-19."
