NJ death toll rises to 20

Public Health. On Sunday the governor's daily update tallied New Jersey's COVID-19 cases as a total of 1,914, with 20 deaths as of 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The rise in positive cases was attributed to increased capacity for testing, as well as community spread.

Sparta /
| 22 Mar 2020 | 04:35

Governor Phil Murphy announced 590 new positive COVID-19 cases, bringing New Jersey's total to 1,914, with 20 deaths, as of 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

"Some of this is the result of increased testing," the governor said. "But some of this is the result of community spread. Sadly, we're reporting four additional deaths, bringing the death toll to 20 in New Jersey...And our thoughts and prayers are with these beautiful souls and with their families."

The governor noted that one of the additional cases is in Salem, which means there now have been positive COVID-19 cases in every county in New Jersey. Murphy also noted that testing capacity continues to increase in New Jersey and he said that on Monday, a new drive-through testing site will open at the PNC Bank Arts Center, at Garden State Parkway exit 116. The testing center will open at 8 a.m. daily, and will remain open until it reaches capacity.

Sussex County cases have risen to 12, with four cases in Newton Medical Center.

"Newton Medical Center is treating 4 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19," said Community Hospitals Communications Manager Louise Gonzalez of Atlantic Healthcare Systems at Newton Medical Center. At this time, the patients remain in isolation and are receiving ongoing care."

The NJ Coronavirus hotline has had 520 calls within the last 24 hours, 10,400 calls to date, and 71,214 enrollments for text alerts.

For updates, visit covid19.nj.gov.

The county break downs are as follows:

• Atlantic: 5
• Bergen: 457
• Burlington: 26
• Camden: 22
• Cumberland: 1
• Cape May: 2
• Essex: 172
• Gloucester: 8
• Hudson: 126
• Hunterdon: 16
• Mercer: 40
• Middlesex: 147
• Monmouth: 158
• Morris: 119
• Ocean: 102
• Passaic: 95
• Salem: 1
• Somerset: 51
• Sussex: 12
• Union: 124
• Warren: 9
• Under Investigation: 211