Gov. Murphy: NJ Coronavirus Transmission Is Rising: Here's Where

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Friday news conference, said he's concerned that New Jersey's rate of transmission is rising again and there are potential coronavirus hot spots in the Garden State. He made the statement as he announced that New Jersey has 202 additional coronavirus cases and 20 more deaths (you can watch the news conference here, below).

Murphy said the state's rate of transmission is 1.11, which means that each new case is leading to slightly more than one new positive case, a sign of possibly uncontrolled community spread. Last week, the number was around 0.82.

Murphy said New Jersey needs to get that rate down to where "we're actively slowing the spread of the virus."

Without a vaccine or a probable effective treatment, Murphy said, the only effective way to slow the spread is through social distancing.

"The only way we keep keep our rate of transmission low is taking the precautions we have taken over the past four months," he said.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said the rate increase is apparently connected to "parties held by younger people."

Jersey Shore communities, in particular, have had issues with local outbreaks. Manasquan reported 23 new cases just this past week, nearly doubling its overall total. Read more: Manasquan Ends Recreation, Limits Beaches In Local COVID Outbreak

"C'mon folks. Don't do this," Murphy said.

Murphy said there also have been "flare-ups" in New Jersey's long-term care facilities, and more cases have happened as a result of people coming from other areas of the country where the spread is out of control.

Murphy said "we can't ignore the world around us," saying he's not comfortable with reopening gyms, theaters and indoor dining if leaders elsewhere aren't behaving responsibly.

"My God — suing communities that require face coverings. I mean, it's just unfathomable. It's just unfathomable," Murphy said, referring to Georgia's governor suing Atlanta's mayor for defying his order to not require people to wear masks.

The Murphy administration did not reveal the areas that have shown increases in their rates of transmission, or where the number has hit 1.0. That rate is considered too high.

But Covid Act Now, a team of researchers that Murphy has highlighted as a credible tracker of the virus, said there are several counties that have a transmission rate that's 1.0 or higher. They are:

• Camden
• Essex
• Gloucester
• Hudson
• Middlesex
• Monmouth
• Passaic
• Somerset
• Union

Ironically, that same team of researchers has offered a different point of view of the statewide numbers, saying New Jersey is one of only two states in the nation that is on track to control the virus. Covid Act Now said the statewide rate of transmission is 0.85; 1.0 is considered too high.

The update comes as the number of cases has risen to 176,551, and 13,710 confirmed deaths have been reported. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy also said he's creating the Governor's Disaster Recovery Office, replacing the Office of Recovery and Rebuilding that was established after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, to act as a center point of contact and coordination for COVID-19 coronavirus recovery programs.

He said he's also creating the COVD-19 Compliance Task Force to help better manage the money being used to help with the recovery efforts.

Murphy also signed three bills into law Thursday, including one to bail out New Jersey amid the coronavirus pandemic by borrowing up to $9.9 billion. Murphy hasn't ruled out a tax increase. Read more: Murphy Signs 3 NJ Bills Into Law, May Borrow $9B Amid Coronavirus

We want to know what you think: Should New Jersey schools reopen for in-person learning this fall amid the coronavirus outbreak? Take our survey. Read more: Should New Jersey Schools Reopen This Fall? Take Our Survey

Watch Murphy here:

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