NJ Coronavirus: Schools Will Close Statewide, 80 New Cases

UPDATE: Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Monday, May 4 that schools will close for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy

NEW JERSEY – All New Jersey schools will close effective Tuesday because of the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Monday. The number of cases also rose to 178 on Wednesday with the addition of 80 cases. You can watch Murphy speak live (see video below).

State officials also announced on Monday that a third person in New Jersey died because of the virus. Read more: 3rd Death In New Jersey Due To Coronavirus

Murphy said he's also mobilizing the National Guard to assist, providing services to help bridge "capability gaps," augment the police and local personnel in transportation and traffic control and support facilities such as hospitals that have hit capacity or run into medical and technology problems.

State Police said they're also looking to locate two FEMA assistance centers – otherwise known as "pods" – where people can be tested. One will be at Bergen Community College and the other will be located at the PNC Arts Center on the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel. Those facilities can also could provide as many as 5,000 tests, and perhaps hundreds a day. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing In Works For NJ

"The time for us to take our strongest and most direct actions to date to slow the spread of the coronavirus is now," Murphy said.

All New Jersey schools – public, private and parochial as well as all colleges and universities – will close on Tuesday and shift to distance learning until health officials deem that it's safe for classes to resume.

Here is the governor's statement on the school closings:

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli also identified the county locations of the new cases: Bergen, 32; Burlington, 1; Camden, 1; Essex, 9; Hudson, 8; Hunterdon, 1; Mercer, 5; Middlesex, 5; Monmouth, 2; Morris, 2; Ocean, 1; Passaic, 3; Somerset, 4; and Union, 4.

The victims range in age from 5 to 93, she said.

The decisions come after Murphy announced earlier on Monday that restaurants, bars, casinos and gyms will shut down. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: Bars, Restaurants, Theaters To Shut

The governor provided the details during a 2 p.m. press conference. You can watch it here:

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing its offices for two weeks. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus

The New Jersey Department of Corrections is temporarily suspending visits during the outbreak. Read more: NJDOC Suspends Visitations To State Prisons and Halfway Houses

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• The state also said it will no longer label the positive tests as "presumptive positive" cases. They are now considered "positive" and "confirmed."

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.