TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New Jersey’s state leaders are preparing for a “potential statewide closure” of schools to help slow the spread of coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 50.

“We had been and are now actively working with districts on extended closure plans to prepare for a potential statewide closure,” said Gov. Phil Murphy during a press conference on Friday.

The state Education Department says 350 of the state’s more than 600 school districts have closures. Most are for teacher training, but a handful are because of confirmed or possible exposure to the coronavirus.

New Jersey Officials Hold Briefing On Latest Coronavirus Cases

Nine schools have had possible exposure to the virus, according to a department tally. Three have had closed because of the exposure to someone who had the virus. One school district closed because a student had tested positive.

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

STATE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

The Democratic-led Assembly and Senate also said they’re changing their schedules next week.

The Assembly canceled committee hearings except for one that will consider the coronavirus legislation. The full Assembly is also planning to vote on the legislation once it emerges from committee. The Senate is holding hearings Monday but said the meetings would be closed to the public.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Republican leader Jon Bramnick announced bipartisan legislation Thursday that includes measures to permit remote or virtual classroom learning to count toward the 180-day school year requirement. Other bills are aimed at ensuring that free and reduced lunches continue if schools are closed; requiring insurers to cover COVID-19 testing, setting aside funds for schools to reimburse for the cost of cleaning; and ensuring that no workers are fired as a result of being quarantined.

The announcements came as New Jersey and other states ramp up mitigation efforts, including the closure of schools, to confront the new virus that emerged in China late last year.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.