“People are a lot smarter than some of these folks are giving them credit for," Murphy said during an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.

He made similar comments during an appearance on CNN later in the evening with Chris Cuomo.

“We haven’t plateaued yet,” Murphy said on CNN. “We still have to get to the top and get down the other side. And the only way we do that if we keep the social distancing we’re still doing.

The primetime television appearances came just hours after New Jersey officials reported another 3,643 positive coronavirus tests and 379 deaths — a one-day high. That brings the statewide total to at least 92,387 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,753 deaths. Only New York has more cases and fatalities among U.S. states. Thousands across New Jersey have recovered but that number is not known.

During his afternoon briefing Murphy said New Jersey “cannot rush to reopen” schools amid coronavirus outbreak, but made no commitment about the rest of the school year. Schools are closed at least through May 15.

Murphy also promised a broad blueprint to reopen the state later this week and a key component would be testing. New Jersey could need to administer 20,000 to 30,000 coronavirus tests a day to appropriately get a handle on the outbreak and reopen the state, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Tuesday.

The figure dwarfs the 7,000 to 9,000 currently being administered in the state, and the turnaround time on results would need to drop significantly, the commissioner said.

“I hate to be Dr. No,” says NJ Gov. Phil Murphy. “…We’ve got to continue to stay home and stay away from each other.”



“We haven’t plateaued yet,” he adds. “We still have to get to the top and come down… and the only way we do that is if we keep the social distancing.” pic.twitter.com/toUDZC9fCI — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) April 22, 2020

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

A look at coronavirus news:

Lakewood axes venue’s arrangement for small weddings during coronavirus shutdown: One day after Lakewood community and religious officials announced an arrangement to hold small weddings at a local venue, the township voided it due to orders surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Even with restrictions made to adhere to social distancing and gathering guidelines, Mayor Raymond Coles said those ceremonies have been put on hold. State and county officials rebuked the arrangement on Monday, pointing out wedding venues are considered nonessential businesses under Murphy’s executive order.

U.S. Senate approves $483B coronavirus aid deal, sends it to House: A $483 billion coronavirus aid package flew through the Senate on Tuesday after Congress and the White House reached a deal to replenish a small-business payroll fund and provided new money for hospitals and testing.

Passage was swift and unanimous, despite opposition from conservative Republicans. President Donald Trump tweeted his support, pledging to sign it into law. It now goes to the House, with votes set for Thursday.

Over 150 McDonald’s in N.J. giving free meals to thank coronavirus healthcare workers, first responders: If you’re a healthcare worker or first responder looking for something to eat in the next two weeks, let the golden arches get you a free meal, McDonald’s restaurants say.

The national fast food chain is starting “Thank You Meals” Wednesday, for medical professionals, and police, fire and EMS personnel to show their appreciation for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

34 nurses from Colorado arrive to help fight N.J. coronavirus cases: Dozens of nurses from Colorado landed in New Jersey on Tuesday in an effort to assist with coronavirus patients at Catholic hospitals in the state.

The nurses will work at Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey hospitals which include St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Saint Peter’s Healthcare System in New Brunswick.

Nursing home opens space to assist hospitals struggling with coronavirus: A Rochelle Park nursing home has turned part of its facility into a dedicated COVID-19 unit aimed at assisting hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.

The facility, which officials said was developed at the request of the state, will provide 54 additional beds able to isolate patients recovering from COVID-19.

N.J. patients who got experimental plasma treatment making ‘remarkable’ recovery, hospital says: New Jersey’s first two coronavirus patients to receive an experimental plasma treatment are both making “remarkable” recoveries, according to Virtua Health, which is treating them.

Worldwide coronavirus cases: More than 178,000 have died of the coronavirus as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. At least 692,000 of the approximately 2.6 million to test positive have recovered.

U.S. cases: More than 45,00 have died of the coronavirus. About 825,000 have tested positive with at least 75,600 recovered as of early Wednesday.

The Associated Press and NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson, Matt Arco, Chris Ryan, Chris Franklin, Katie Kausch, Ted Sherman and Noah Cohen contributed to this report.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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