UPDATED: 9:08 p.m.
TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey officials announced Friday that the state now has 50 presumptive positive cases of coronavirus, up from 29 cases announced Thursday.
One of the new cases involves a 60-year-old Burlington County man, taking the county's total number to three. Camden County also has a new case, a woman in her 60s from Cherry Hill, taking their total to two. And Ocean County reported its first COVID-19 case.
The number of confirmed fatalities remains at one.
Murphy took part in his first briefing since undergoing cancer surgery a week and a half ago. He's considering school closings that could spread across the state.
"For some districts, for many in fact, that time is now. For others, we are working around the clock to ensure that when their time comes, and it is a when and not an if, they will be prepared to provide all critical services," Murphy said.
Many New Jersey schools have already announced closures, including Camden City schools and Cherry Hill schools. All Burlington County schools will be closed until April 17.
Delaware and Pennsylvania have ordered schools to be closed for two weeks.
We've received 21 new presumptive positive test results since yesterday, bringing our statewide total to 50.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 13, 2020Any New Jersey resident who needs to have their driver's license, auto registration, or vehicle inspection renewed by May 31 will automatically be given a two-month extension.
All state utilities shut-off orders will be suspended for now.
Murphy expects new shipments of medical supplies from the federal government and predicts available testing will be ramped up perhaps within a week.
Map courtesy of NBC Owned Television Stations
Correction: An earlier version of this story said Gov. Murphy has ordered the closure of schools in the state. The governor has not ordered the closure of schools.
