Coronavirus Surpassing NJ's Top Causes Of Death As 113 More Die

UPDATE: Gov. Phil Murphy will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. on Saturday to discuss the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak. Patch will cover it live. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Phil Murphy Issues NJ Update On Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy provided another grim update on the coronavirus outbreak on Friday, announcing 4,372 new cases – the highest daily number yet – and 113 more deaths. The rising fatality rate shows that coronavirus is fast surpassing all causes of death, based on the most recent daily averages, in the Garden State (you can watch it here, below).

New Jersey now has a total of 29,895 cases – second highest in the nation – and 646 deaths.

Murphy ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the dead.

Murphy noted that families can't even hold funerals. "This is a way to say that their loss is not forgotten," he said.

"This is one of the greatest tragedies to ever hit our state and we must have a constant and invisible memorial on the toll COVID-19 is having on our community," he said.

The latest figures from the state Department of Health, posted in 2018, show that coronavirus' death rate this week – including 182 on Tuesday and 113 on Friday – is easily surpassing New Jersey's most common causes of death on a daily average.

Here were the 10 most common causes of death, and their daily averages, in New Jersey in 2018:

1. Heart disease 52.2
2. Cancer 43.8
3. Unintentional injury 12.8
4. Stroke 9.4
5. CLRD 8.8
6. Alzheimer's Disease 7.4
7. Septicemia 5.3
8. Diabetes 5.1
9. Kidney disease 4.5
10. Influenza and pneumonia 4.01

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said smoking and vaping are proving to be possible underlying factors in the coronavirus deaths.

Persichilli announced the following county-by-county deaths:

• Essex County: 19
• Hudson County: 16
• Bergen County: 14
• Passaic County: 11
• Union County: 11
• Monmouth County: 10
• Middlesex County: 10
• Ocean County: 7
• Somerset County: 6
• Morris County: 3
• Burlington County: 1
• Camden County: 1
• Gloucester County: 1
• Mercer County: 1
• Salem County: 1

Persichilli also provided a county-by-county breakdown of the cases:

• Atlantic 25
• Bergen 576
• Burlington 73
• Camden 61
• Cape May 10
• Cumberland 5
• Essex 328
• Gloucester 15
• Hudson 382
• Hunterdon 16
• Mercer 91
• Middlesex 309
• Monmouth 256
• Morris 163
• Ocean 231
• Passaic 370
• Salem 5
• Somerset 77
• Sussex 24
• Union 351
• Warren 33

Persichilli said hospitals are currently treating 3,016 patients who tested positive for the coronavirus, and 41 percent are on ventilators.

The update comes as New Jersey continues to battle against the impacts of the outbreak. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Watch Murphy here:

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• A new report from ProPublica says New Jersey hospitals would be hard pressed to meet demand – even in a best-case scenario – if the coronavirus outbreak surges. Read more: NJ Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
• After two FEMA sites opened, officials said five more counties will be getting coronavirus testing sites. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.