The first case of the novel coronavirus in New Jersey was reported on March 5, when a 32-year-old man from Fort Lee, Bergen County, tested positive. Its growth has exploded since.

Nationwide, the first case was reported in January, after a Washington state resident tested positive for the virus. By Thursday, the United States surpassed 10,000 known cases of the virus.

Because testing has been in short supply and symptoms of the virus could take 14 days to show after being infected, the numbers could be far higher than what has been detected.

The trajectory for coronavirus cases in New Jersey is similar to what we’re seeing around the nation. There is a slow buildup followed by dramatic spikes. As more people get tested, the numbers are projected to go up.

The number of positive cases in New Jersey’s have made the state hover towards the top of the list, but things are changing overnight as states take extreme measures to control the spread. In response to the crisis, Gov. Phil Murphy has asked for all schools, movie theaters, gyms and casinos to be closed. He has also asked for a statewide curfew, requesting New Jerseyans to not leave their homes between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On March 16, President Donald Trump announced guidelines urging people to avoid groups of more than 10 people.

To avoid the spread, the Centers for Disease Control have been advising people to practice social distancing — deliberately maintaining at least 6 feet distance from other people. Besides regularly washing hands and cleaning surfaces you touch often (like your phone!), epidemiologists say that it is the best possible way to mitigate this crisis. Social distancing helps “flatten the curve,” which means reducing the spread, not bringing the total number of cases down to zero. By taking crucial steps like these, states can prevent local health care systems from getting overwhelmed.

Globally, the virus has spread to multiple countries, with especially devastating effects in Italy. Seven counties in the Bay Area in California have shelter-in-place orders for the next three weeks. Closer to home, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he’s considering a shelter in place order as well. The state has been hit the hardest, with 4,152 confirmed cases.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether it’s a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share.

Disha Raychaudhuri may be reached at disha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Disha_RC.