N.J. declares state of emergency over coronavirus concerns

Source from NJ.COM. Author Jeff Goldman

New Jersey officials declared a state of emergency Monday amid growing concerns about the spread of coronavirus in the state, which now has 11 people who have tested positive.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey rose to 11 on Monday. Officials also said 24 additional people in the Garden State are under investigation as potential infection cases by the state Department of Health.

“The State of New Jersey is committed to deploying every available resource, across all levels of government, to help respond to the spread of COVID-19 and keep our residents informed,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.

“My Administration will continue to work closely with our federal partners to ensure that local health agencies on the front lines of the state’s response are equipped with the resources needed to further prepare our health care system for a broader spread of COVID-19,” the governor said.

In the neighboring state of New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across parts of the United States, with more than 560 confirmed cases reported and 22 deaths as of Monday morning, according to pubic health agency data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The outbreak has caused widespread anxiety — prompting officials to close some schools in New Jersey, sending global stock markets and oil prices plunging, and sparking restrictions on large public events, and prompting the U.S. State Department to advise people to avoid trips on cruise ships.

The CDC has confirmed 164 cases of coronavirus infections across the United States as of Saturday, with no updated numbers released on Sunday or Monday morning. Major news organizations and Johns Hopkins University — using data from various national and state health agencies — have reported more than 560 cases nationally as of Monday morning.

State officials have already warned school districts to begin preparing for long-term closures, and announced that home-instruction days will count towards the required 180-day school year. Several schools have already decided to close temporarily — some for facility cleaning and others for emergency planning.