COVID-19 Claims 18 New Jerseyans in 24 Hours: ‘We will Fight to the Death to Save Lives,’ Says Murphy

Murphy

Governor Phil Murphy and Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said it would get worse.

And it has.

Seven-hundred and thirty-six (736) new COVID-19 cases today brings the statewide total to 4,402 (819 in Bergen, which leads all counties with confirmed cases).

In 24 hours, the state suffered 18 more deaths, the highest yet by one person.

“That number does not get any easier,” Murphy said.

That makes it 62 COVID-19 deaths total in New Jersey.

The COVID-19 virus yesterday claimed the lives of 17 people in 24 hours.

“Our hospital networks while they are under tremendous stress, are meeting the needs [of New Jersey residents],” Murphy said.

But we must be ready when the surge comes, he added.

“We will fight to save every single life,” Murphy said. “We will fight to the death to save lives.”

“We will leave nothing on the battlefield,” he added. “We are America. We never leave the fallen soldier on the battlefield. We always go back. That is America. That is our values system.”

The governor made a point to thank President Donald J. Trump for making field medical statsions available to the state.

“I cannot express enough my thanks to the Army Corps,” the governor said, again, in reference to

Persichilli: 18 deaths today: 11 male, seven female. Fifty percent of the cases reported underlying conditions. Nine are under investigaton. Overall: deaths are 65% male, 35% female. Age range: Low of 30, high 78. No deaths in individuals under 30.”

hospital field equipment. “It is my fervent hope that these measures remain measures of preparedness.

“We will not be left scrambling. …We will continue to push for the personal protective equipment our healthcare workers desperately need,” added Murphy, who praised Merck for donating 300,000 masks.

He said he signed an executive order closing childcare centers up through grade 8 for all but essential workers only, effectvie April 1 – an issue worked on the legislative end by state Senator Joe Vitale (D-19) and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-19), who just lost her brother, the governor said, for reasons unrelated to COVID-19.

Murphy referenced the  $2 trillion stimulus deal struck early Wednesday that includes sending checks directly to individuals, which will likely take until at least May before the money goes out.

“This is a big step in the right direction,” said the governor, hours after his colleague, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, panned the stimulus as inadequate.

“Let’s not let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” Murphy said. “It isn’t everything, let there be no doubt about it, but we’ll take it, including direct cash on the barrelhead.”

According to CNN:

Under the plan as it was being negotiated, single Americans would receive $1,200, married couples would get $2,400, and parents would see $500 for each child under age 17.
However, the payments would start to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000, and those making more than $99,000 would not qualify at all. The thresholds are doubled for couples.
About 90% of Americans would be eligible to receive full or partial payments, according to estimates by the Tax Policy Center. Lawmakers set aside $250 billion for the so-called recovery rebates.

 

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