Gov. Murphy Gives Update as Coronavirus Death Toll Breaks 3,100

New Jersey has been hard hit by the deadly novel coronavirus with more than thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of cases. Gov. Phil Murphy says more testing is still needed to get his state reopened.

New Jersey hit two somber milestones in the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday as the death total from COVID-19 complications broke 3,100 and the total cases exceeded 71,000.

Among the deaths Murphy focused on Wednesday were former Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Lt. Danny Francis, Ridgewood dry cleaner and musician Eugene Thomas and Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, the mother of NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns

The 351 new deaths reported Wednesday is just short of the record 365 COVID-19 victims reported on Tuesday. Murphy said a “significant” number of the deaths happened over Easter weekend and are only now being reported.

The northern part of the state has been hardest hit by the deadly COVID-19 outbreak but deaths have been reported in every county throughout the Garden State.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Garden State pushed to at least 71,030 as of Wednesday.

Murphy continued to urge New Jerseyans to stay at home unless they absolutely need to go out for essentials. He urged anyone who steps out the door to stay at least 6 feet apart and keep their faces covered.

“Nothing trumps social distancing,” Murphy said.

He likened the COVID-19 battle to a war.