Coronavirus in NJ: 13 new cases in Monmouth County, 32 in Ocean County

The number of positive COVID-19 cases took a steep climb at the Jersey Shore on Thursday, with Ocean County also reporting its first death from the illness. 

There were 13 new cases in Monmouth County and 25 in Ocean County, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said at a briefing by mid-afternoon. However, by Thursday evening the Ocean County Health Department had significantly increased the number of new cases to 32.

“It is with great sadness and our deepest condolences to the affected family and friends that the Ocean County Health Department is reporting our first COVID-19-related death in Ocean County,” the agency said in a public statement on Thursday. “This is the ninth death in New Jersey since the COVID-19 outbreak began in late 2019.”

The health department did not release the identity of the man, although officials confirmed he was a resident of Manchester in his 70s, who had been at high risk of complications from the coronavirus based on his age and preexisting medical conditions. 

Statewide, 318 new positive COVID-19 tests sent the state's overall count to 742 — before Ocean County updated its new numbers.

The state death toll rose by four to nine by midday, and by the end of the day, a 10th victim was announced, Vincent Fusco of Manalapan.

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That came after the virus claimed his 73-year-old mother, Grace Fusco, who died at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township. Fusco's sister Rita Fusco-Jackson, 56, died Friday, and his brother Carmine Fusco, 55, died Wednesday in a Pennsylvania hospital.

CORONAVIRUS IN NJ: Sadness, fear as COVID-19 claims four family members

The two other victims who died were a Bergen County man in his 30s and an Essex County man in his 60s, she said.

Of the nine fatalities, three were residents of two long-term care facilities. One of those facilities is in Essex County, the other in Hudson County.

According to the state's epidemic dashboard, Monmouth County Thursday had 43 confirmed cases. Ocean County's confirmed case count now stands at 48 in total. In Bergen County, the hardest hit in New Jersey, 195 people have tested positive. No one has tested positive in Salem and Cumberland counties.

But Persichilli added the state is still waiting to hear where 84 of the new cases are from.

Brielle police announced Thursday that a person in the borough has tested positive, the first.

Of the 742 people who have tested positive, the youngest is 3 and the oldest is 95, Persichilli said.

She said the cases are expected to rise exponentially.

Gov. Phil Murphy said at the state's noon briefing that he has signed an executive order closing of all personal care businesses, "which cannot comply with social distancing guidelines," including barbershops, hair salons, tattoo parlors, massage parlors and nail salons as of 8 p.m. Thursday.

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Murphy became emphatic when discussing aggressive measures to close down gatherings of more than 50 people.

"It's time to cut the crap," Murphy said. "We simply can't have that."

In Lakewood on Tuesday night, police broke up two weddings that were in violation of the order barring large gatherings, authorities said.

State officials at the news conference cited a rumor that more than 100 people in Lakewood had been exposed to the virus and had been tested, but said they could not confirm that.

Murphy also said he is set to sign pending legislation that suspends the removal of people facing eviction or foreclosure.

"No one, and I repeat no one in New Jersey should fear being kicked out of their home in this emergency," Murphy said.

Ken Serrano has covered breaking news in New Jersey for more than 20 years. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.