4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports

FREEHOLD, NJ — The new coronavirus has killed four people from the same extended family based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to multiple sources.

Grace Fusco, 73, of Freehold, and her son, Carmine Fusco, of Bath, Pa., died on Wednesday, The New York Times reported. Grace's daughter, Rita Fusco-Jackson, 55, died March 13. She was identified by the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine on March 15. Vincent Fusco died Thursday, NJ.com reported.

Three other family members are hospitalized, according to a GoFundme campaign set up to assist the family with medical bills.

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"Our hearts go out to the Fusco family," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a tweet. "As we mourn with them, I urge all New Jerseyans to take this seriously. Please wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay home. We will get through this together."

Fusco-Jackson had a brother who was friends with a Bergen County man who was the first person to die of the virus in New Jersey, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.

Fusco-Jackson was a parishioner at St. Robert Bellarmine and was involved in both the parish choir and the church's religious education program, church officials said on Facebook.

The GoFundme campaign said there were six members of the family who were admitted to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township with symptoms of COVID-19, including Fusco-Jackson, her mother, Grace Fusco, and brother Vincent Fusco. Three others remain hospitalized in critical condition in the intensive care unit, the campaign said.

"This is a family that always cared and was there for others and now they need us to be there for them. All money raised will be donated to the family for medical expenses, funeral expenses, and future hardship," the campaign said.

Other family members — Fusco-Jackson was one of 11 children — remain in quarantine, NJ.com reported.

St. Robert Bellarmine Msgr. Sam Sirianni said in the post that Fusco-Jackson was a teacher in the confirmation program at the church; another family member is a fifth-grade teacher in the confirmation program and is self-quarantined, along with two students who are family members.

A GoFundme campaign set up to assist the family with medical expenses said there are six members of the family who were admitted to CentraState Medical Center with symptoms of the virus, including Fusco-Jackson and her mother, Grace Fusco. Four others remain hospitalized in critical condition in the intensive care unit, the campaign said.

"This is a family that always cared and was there for others and now they need us to be there for them. All money raised will be donated to the family for medical expenses, funeral expenses, and future hardship," the campaign said.

"I ask that every member of the parish please remember the Fusco-Jackson family in their prayers as they deal with the loss of Rita and for all who have been impacted by COVID-19 here in the parish and throughout the nation," Sirianni said in the post.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 427 positive tests for COVID-19 in New Jersey, including 32 in Monmouth County, according to the state health department. More than 50 percent of those people are hospitalized, officials said. The first case in New Jersey was identified on March 4.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The church said the Monmouth County Health Department answering questions and available to assist anyone who may have been in close contact with Fusco-Jackson. The department can be reached at 732-294-2060 or check the county website for more information.

Note: Updated with information on the GoFundme campaign set up to assist the Fusco family. GoFundme is a Patch promotional partner.

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