New Jersey coronavirus cases climb to 50, up from 29

TRENTON » The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey has climbed to 50, up from 29, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.

The development came during the state government’s daily briefing at a state police facility in Ewing. The 21 positive cases amount to the biggest jump since the first positive test last week.

Murphy also said that the state is preparing for closing schools statewide, though he stopped short of taking that step. He said it’s a matter of when, not if, they close. State Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet said some 354 districts, or roughly half, in the state have closed already.

Murphy also announced that new equipment, including surgical masks and respirators, are expected to arrive from the federal government soon.

Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli did not give many details about the new cases.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

A closer look at the latest developments:

NEW EQUIPMENT, OTHER MEASURES

Murphy said the federal Health and Human Services Department notified the state it’s sending 84,000 respirators, 200,000 surgical masks and 35,000 face shields. The state’s hospitals are facing dwindling supplies, according to Persichilli.

Murphy also said state regulators have suspended the ability of utilities to shut off services to residents during the outbreak.

He is also pushing back driver’s license and vehicle registration deadlines by two months.

LEGISLATION PENDING

New Jersey lawmakers have set votes on legislation aimed at helping residents deal with the pandemic, as well as altering their own schedules.

The Democratic-led Assembly canceled committee hearings except for one that will consider the coronavirus legislation. The full Assembly is also planning to vote on the legislation once it emerges from committee. The Democratic-led Senate is holding hearings Monday but said the meetings would be closed to the public.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Republican leader Jon Bramnick announced bipartisan legislation Thursday that includes measures to permit remote or virtual classroom learning to count toward the 180day school year requirement.