NJTV reports that Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura has tested positive for COVID-19 as is currently in self-isolation.

In a video conference with NJTV’s Michael Hill, the Sheriff – at times emotional – said that on Sunday morning he was notified of his positive test result.

“I want to be out there with my people”, he said, adding that ‘hopefully I’ll be out there soon.”

‘We’re coming in contact with a situation where everyone is hiding, they expect us to show up , and thank God, we’re doing that’, said Fontoura.

He says he’s spoken with his doctor and has to monitor the situation but believes he has a mild case, noting his symptoms aren’t as severe as other cases.

Watch the video report here.

The statewide COVID-19 case count climbed by 2,196 on Tuesday, March 31st, for a total of 18,696 cases; 69 New Jerseyans died since Monday, bringing the fatality count to 267 as of Tuesday.

COVID-19 Cases by County
Data is provisional and subsequent to revision.

3,686 Positives Pending Further Information

Bergen County:

2,909 Positive Test Result(s)

Essex County:

1,900 Positive Test Result(s)

Hudson County:

1,606 Positive Test Result(s)

Union County:

1,418 Positive Test Result(s)

Passaic County:

1,294 Positive Test Result(s)

Middlesex County:

1,277 Positive Test Result(s)

Monmouth County:

1,140 Positive Test Result(s)

Ocean County:

1,022 Positive Test Result(s)

Morris County:

841 Positive Test Result(s)

Somerset County:

413 Positive Test Result(s)

Mercer County:

268 Positive Test Result(s)

Camden County:

228 Positive Test Result(s)

Burlington County:

202 Positive Test Result(s)

Sussex County:

132 Positive Test Result(s)

Gloucester County:

114 Positive Test Result(s)

Hunterdon County:

97 Positive Test Result(s)

Warren County:

76 Positive Test Result(s)

Atlantic County:

31 Positive Test Result(s)

Cumberland County:

18 Positive Test Result(s)

Cape May County:

12 Positive Test Result(s)

Salem County:

12 Positive Test Result(s)