PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey has recorded the highest single-day total of coronavirus cases in more than four months, and state health officials are warning of a second wave of the virus.
Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey had 1,301 new cases of COVID-19 in the last day.
"When we get 1,301 cases in one day, we know we're still in the fight, folks," he said. The governor called the figure "sobering."
It's the largest single-day total since May 29, and state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the state is now anticipating a second wave of COVID-19.
"If individuals do not adhere to social distancing, masking guidelines, washing your hands, staying home if you're sick, this wave has the potential to become a surge," she warned.
Persichilli said the state does have a stockpile of PPE and ventilators. But unlike the spring, Persichili said other states wouldn't be as able to send help because now they're battling their own outbreaks.
She said most of the new cases were in Monmouth and Ocean counties, primarily among white men aged 19 to 49. She said the outbreak could be related to gatherings at recent religious services in Lakewood.
Murphy pleaded with residents to wear masks and to maintain social distancing.
"Please, please continue to do the right thing as millions of you have," the governor said. "For those of you who haven't, wake up. For crying out loud, wake up."
Murphy said he didn't see the resumption of indoor dining or opening gyms as a primary driver of the increase in cases.
As far as reimposing restrictions, the governor compared his approach to using a scalpel instead of a blunt instrument. He said both are on the table.
