Timeline
2020
March
March 2–10
On March 2, the eventual patient zero—a physician assistant who treated patients in several clinics in the New York City area—had a bad cough and heart palpitations, and went to an urgent care clinic where he tested negative for flu and strep (COVID-19 tests were not available at the clinic). The patient's symptoms prompted his doctor to tell him to go to the emergency room for a CT scan. While at the hospital the patient developed a fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. His CT scan revealed he had pneumonia, and shading in one lung gave doctors reason to believe he could have the coronavirus. On March 3, he was tested for COVID-19.[5] On March 4, Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver announced the state's first case of COVID-19, a presumptive positive test result in a man in his 30s who had been hospitalized in Bergen County since March 3.[6][7]
On March 5, officials announced that they were investigating a second presumptive case of COVID-19.[8] On March 6, officials announced a third presumptive case in Camden County and a fourth case in Bergen County.[9][10] On March 8, two presumptive positive cases were confirmed in East Brunswick and Edison, bringing the total to six.[11]
On March 10, state officials announced the first death in New Jersey to be in Bergen County. A resident of Little Ferry, 69-year-old John Brennan was the first to succumb to the virus in New Jersey. He had underlying health conditions and was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center where he died of a heart attack.[12] It would come to light days later that the man was connected to cluster of coronavirus among a New Jersey family that would kill 4 family members.[13][14]
March 11–17
On March 14, Governor Murphy announced on Twitter an additional 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of confirmed cases to 69.[15] A second death was reported on March 14 in Monmouth County: 56-year-old Rita Fusco-Jackson of Freehold died of the virus the prior evening after being treated at CentraState Medical Center. She was the first of four members of a family to die in what would become a cluster of nearly 10 cases that was spread among a single family.[13][16][17]
On March 15, Governor Murphy announced via Twitter that another 31 cases had been confirmed in the state, bringing the cumulative total to 98 positive cases.[18] On March 16, New Jersey officials reported 80 new positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 178 for the state, with three deaths.[19] On March 17, 89 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in New Jersey, bringing the state's total to 267. Among the 267 patients up to that point, about 55% were hospitalized. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 93, with a median of 52.[20]
March 18–24
On March 18, Governor Murphy announced that 160 more positive tests for the coronavirus had occurred, bringing New Jersey's total to 427. At that point, cases had been found in 18 of the state's 21 counties. The death toll rose to five, as two more people died.[21][22] On March 19, Governor Murphy announced 315 new positive tests for the coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 742. Four more deaths raised the death toll to nine.[23][24][25] On March 20, New Jersey officials said that the number of coronavirus cases in the state rose to 890. Two more deaths were reported, bringing the state's total to 11.[26][27]
On March 21, New Jersey officials reported over 400 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 1,327. Five more deaths brought the total to 16. By that point, the virus had been found in all 21 of New Jersey's counties.[28][29] By March 23, 2,844 cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in the state. New Jersey had the second-most cases of all states in the country, behind only New York. The death toll in New Jersey increased to 27.[30][31] On March 24, officials announced an increase to 3,675 cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey. The number of deaths rose by 17, to 44 total.[32] A 50-year-old Freehold Township man was charged with terroristic threats, harassment, and obstruction after he coughed on a Wegmans supermarket clerk in Manalapan Township and laughingly declared he had the coronavirus.[33]
March 25–31
On March 25, confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 4,402. The number of deaths rose by 18 to 62 total.[34] All 94 residents of St. Joseph's Senior Home in Woodbridge Township were assumed to have coronavirus. The first of 24 positive cases was discovered on March 17, and at least one more had developed every day since then.[35] On March 26, New Jersey officials announced that the number of coronavirus cases had increased to 6,876. The death toll went up by 19, to 81 in total.[36] On March 27, state officials announced a total of 8,825 known cases of the coronavirus. The number of deaths increased by 27, to 108.[37] Police broke up a house party with 47 people crammed into a small apartment in Ewing Township. The organizer was charged.[38]
On March 29, New Jersey announced that 13,386 cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in the state, including 161 deaths. New Jersey had the second-largest outbreak in the country, behind only New York. In a Twitter video, Governor Murphy said, "Nothing's changed in New Jersey, stay at home. New Jersey is part of the hottest spot in America right now, alongside New York City and the nation's eyes are upon us."[39] According to the acting superintendent of New Jersey's state police, about 700 police officers in the state had tested positive for the coronavirus, but none had died.[40] On March 30, New Jersey announced that the total number of cases had risen to 16,636. The death toll increased by 37, to 198.[41] On March 31, Governor Murphy announced that there were 18,696 cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey. The death toll increased by 69, to 267.[42]
In order to expand hospital capacities, on March 31, Commissioner Judith Persichilli issued a directive to nursing homes, post-acute care facilities and hospital discharge planners regarding the transfer of "medically stable" patients out of hospitals. The directive did not allow admission to post-acute care facilities to be denied on the basis of the COVID-19 status of a patient and prohibited the receiving facilities to require such testing prior to admission.[43]
April
April 1–7
On April 1, Governor Murphy announced that there were 22,255 coronavirus cases in New Jersey, including 355 deaths.[44] On April 2, officials reported 25,590 total cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey, including 537 deaths. Of the 537 deaths, 47% were people over the age of 80. Residents of long-term care facilities accounted for 76 deaths. 110 of New Jersey's 375 long-term care facilities had at least one confirmed case of the coronavirus.[45] On April 4, state officials announced that New Jersey had 34,124 total cases of the coronavirus, including 846 deaths. According to state health commissioner Judith Perischilli, there were more than 4,000 coronavirus patients hospitalized in New Jersey as of the 3rd. Of those patients, 1,494 were in critical care, including 1,263 who were on ventilators.[46]
On April 6, the state announced that 41,090 people had tested positive for the coronavirus in New Jersey. The death toll rose to 1,003.[47] On April 7, Governor Murphy announced that there were 44,416 total cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey and 1,232 deaths.[48]
April 8–14
On April 8, Governor Murphy announced that New Jersey had 47,437 total cases and 1,504 deaths from the coronavirus. Among U.S. states, only New York had more cases.[49] On April 9, Governor Murphy announced that New Jersey had 51,027 total cases of the coronavirus and 1,700 deaths. Health officials provided the racial breakdown of the deaths as: 61% White, 22% Black, 6% Asian, less than 1% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander, and 11% still under investigation.[50] On April 10, state officials announced that New Jersey had 54,588 cases of the coronavirus with 1,932 deaths. Of the coronavirus deaths in the state, the breakdown was: 58% male and 42% female; 45% over 80 years old, 33% between 65 and 79, 17% between 50 and 64, 4% between 30 and 49, and 1% under 30; 64% White including 17% Latino, 20% Black, 6% Asian, and less than 1% Pacific Islander.[51]
On April 11, New Jersey announced that there were 58,151 total cases of the coronavirus and 2,183 deaths in the state.[52] By April 13, New Jersey had 64,584 total cases of the coronavirus and 2,443 deaths. As of the 12th, there were 7,781 people hospitalized with the coronavirus or suspected of having the virus. Of those patients, 1,886 were in critical or intensive care, and 1,611 were on ventilators.[53] On April 14, state officials reported that there were 68,824 total cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey and 2,805 deaths. According to the state Department of Health's website, 128,604 New Jersey residents had been tested for the coronavirus, and 70,950 had tested negative. The positivity rate was about 45%.[54]
April 15–21
By April 15, New Jersey had 71,030 total cases of the coronavirus, and the death toll was 3,156.[55] On April 16, state officials reported that there were 75,317 total cases of the coronavirus and 3,518 deaths.[56] By April 17, New Jersey had 78,467 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 3,840 deaths. Of the deaths, the breakdown by race was: 50.3% White, 22.3% Black, 16.6% Hispanic, 5.4% Asian, and 5.4% Other. A total of 9,094 cases, including 1,530 deaths, had been reported in the state's 384 longterm care facilities.[57]
By April 18, New Jersey had 81,420 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 4,070 deaths. Among U.S. states, only New York had more cases and deaths. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said, "This is a pandemic the likes of which we haven't seen in a century." He noted that the state's 4,070 deaths from COVID-19 over the previous six weeks was more than those "lost in past three flu seasons in their entirety combined."[58]
On April 19, state officials announced that there were 85,301 total cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey and 4,202 deaths. There were 7,495 patients hospitalized for coronavirus or suspected of having the virus in New Jersey as of the 18th. Of those hospitalized, 1,940 were in critical or intensive care, and 1,628 were on ventilators.[59] On April 20, officials reported 88,806 total cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey with 4,377 deaths. Residents of long-term care facilities accounted for 10,744 cases and 1,779 deaths.[60] On April 21, New Jersey reported 92,387 total cases of the coronavirus and 4,753 deaths.[61]
April 22–30
On April 22, New Jersey reported 95,865 total cases of the coronavirus and 5,063 deaths.[62]
By April 23, New Jersey had 99,989 total cases of the coronavirus and 5,368 deaths. As of the 22nd, there were 7,240 coronavirus patients at the state's 71 hospitals. This included 1,990 patients who were in critical or intensive care and 1,462 who were on ventilators. At the time, the peak in hospitalizations was 8,293 on April 14. Of the deaths in New Jersey, the breakdown by race was: 53.6% White, 20% Black, 16% Hispanic, 5.4% Asian, and 5% Other.[63]
On April 29, state officials reported 116,264 total cases of the coronavirus and 6,770 deaths. More than 216,000 New Jersey residents had been tested for the coronavirus, and 42% had tested positive. As of the 28th, 6,289 people were hospitalized in the state for the virus. The racial breakdown of deaths was: 52.3% White, 20.1% Black, 16.9% Hispanic, 5.1% Asian, and 5.5% Other.[64]
On April 30, state officials reported 118,652 total cases of the coronavirus and 7,228 deaths.[65]
May
On May 4, Governor Murphy indicated that all schools, public and private, would remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.[66]
By May 14, Hudson County surpassed Bergen for the most coronavirus cases in NJ with over 17,134 cases while Bergen has 17,080.[67]
On May 18, Governor Murphy unveiled a three-stage reopening strategy.[68] A gym in Bellmawr reopened and the owner was later ticketed in violation of the state's coronavirus restrictions.[69] The next day the gym owner was issued more tickets and a customer was arrested.[70]
By May 20, the administration had lowered the number of corona-related deaths reported in nursing homes from 5,700 on May 18 to 4,295. The reduction was achieved by excluding the deaths of persons who did not have a confirmed COVID laboratory test prior to death.[71]
On May 26, Governor Murphy allowed graduation ceremonies to be held outdoors beginning July 6. The ceremonies were still required to comply with social distancing guidelines.[72] Professional sports teams could return to training or even competition if their leagues desired such.[73]
On May 29, Murphy announced that the COVID-19 short term rental assistance program will provide at least $100 million in housing relief for families in need.[74]
June
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On June 1, Governor Murphy announced that stage 2 of reopening would start on June 15.[75]
On June 8, the number of COVID-19 cases in NJ was 356, the fewest cases over the past 2 months.[76]
On June 9, the stay-at-home-order was lifted after Murphy announced that he would increase the limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
On June 25, 2020, it was the first day in which probable deaths were included in totals.[77]
Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo also released a statement alongside Governor Murphy and Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont which stated that anybody arriving from states with high rates of coronavirus would have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival as a result of the rising cases.[78][79][80][81][82][83]
July
On July 2, casinos, outdoor playgrounds, outdoor amusement parks, outdoor water parks, indoor pools, museums, libraries, aquariums, and indoor recreational facilities were permitted to reopen at limited capacity. Gyms and fitness centers could reopen outdoor spaces and offer limited individualized indoor instruction by appointment only.[84]
On July 3, the limit on outdoor gatherings was increased to 500 people.
On July 6, modified outdoor graduation ceremonies were allowed and youth day camps and summer programs could operate. Light rail and NJ Transit resumed full weekday schedules.
On July 7, Kansas and Oklahoma were added to the list, now of 19 states, residents of which were advised to quarantine for 14 days when traveling to New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.[84]
As of July 23, New Jersey remained the only state where case numbers dropped in two consecutive weeks.[85]
August
On August 4, the maximum size of indoor gatherings was reduced from 100 individuals to 25 individuals.[86]
On August 25, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed 190,000.
September
On September 21, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the state reached 200,000.
October
According to the NJ Department of Health, on September 12, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the state reached 214,097 (rate per 100,000 of 2,435) and the number of lab confirmed deaths had reached 14,387 (164 per 100,000 of the general population).[87] The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center dataset recorded 16,175 confirmed plus presumed deaths for a cumulative case fatality rate of 7.55%.[88] The daily number of deaths averaged over the previous 7 days was 5.3 deaths/day. This ranks New Jersey as the highest number of deaths per capita of all US states, but second to lowest rate of increase, second only to Connecticut in percent increase per day.
On October 13, a super-spreader event at Monmouth University was linked to 125 COVID-19 cases. Since August 24, Monmouth University has had 319 COVID-19 cases.[89]
On October 21, Governor Murphy went into self-quarantine after having been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.[90]
New Jersey's public health emergency was extended by the governor on October 26. 1,994 new cases were reported, the highest increase since May.[91] Statewide restrictions were not imposed, but Newark imposed city level restrictions requiring nonessential businesses to close by 8pm.[92]
December
On December 15, the first doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in New Jersey were issued to healthcare workers. Maritza Beniquez, an emergency room nurse at University Hospital in Newark, received the first dose of the vaccine.[93]
On December 18, the state announced plans to open six COVID-19 vaccine "mega-sites" across the state in January 2021, in addition to making the COVID-19 vaccine available at more than 200 satellite locations including hospitals, health centers, urgent care centers, retail pharmacies, and local sites.[94]
Two women were arrested in Newark on December 28 for hosting 200 patrons at an improvised bar. Three others were arrested on December 27 for allegedly selling alcohol without a permit inside a hookah lounge that hosted over 50 people in Paterson.[95]
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