NorthJersey.com

Here's the latest news on the spread of coronavirus in New Jersey. We will continue to update throughout the day as we learn more.

How many coronavirus cases are there in NJ?

As of Wednesday, there were 4,402 cases in the state with 736 additional cases announced Wednesday.

How many people have died of coronavirus complications in NJ?

There have been 62 deaths related to coronavirus in New Jersey. Five of the new deaths were linked to long-term care facilities. Officials reported 18 new deaths Wednesday in the following counties:

Ocean (4)

Essex (3)

Monmouth (2)

Bergen (1)

Burlington (1)

Cumberland (1)

Hudson (1)

Middlesex (1)

Morris (1)

Passaic (1)

Somerset (1)

Union (1)

Of the total deaths in New Jersey, 65% were male and 35% were female, said state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. They ranged in age from 30 to 78; 76% were over 60 years of age. Of the 62 people who died, 48% had some form of underlying conditions, Persichilli said.

How many people are hospitalized in NJ for coronavirus?

As of Friday evening, 100 patients in New Jersey hospitals were positive for coronavirus and another 600 patients were awaiting test results to determine whether they have the virus, said Persichilli.

Murphy was unable to give an update Wednesday when asked about the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients in New Jersey.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that hospitals are under a lot of stress but are "currently meeting the needs of the patients who will require hospitalization." However, he said that the state needs to increase its number of hospital beds. The goal is to increase the state's capacity by 2,360 beds.

Where are the coronavirus cases in NJ?

Below is a map of coronavirus cases in New Jersey. Get a county-by-county breakdown here.

Here's what's happening in North Jersey today

Murphy signs executive order on daycares

All childcare centers must close by April 1st unless they can certify by this Friday that they are solely caring for the children of workers who are essential. Here's a list of workers that are considered essential.

Field hospitals coming to NJ

To help North Jersey hospitals deal with an expected surge in coronavirus patients, the state will begin work shortly on a temporary field hospital at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus, a facility that should take no more than a week to be ready for patients, authorities said Wednesday.

Four field hospitals — mobile medical facilities that increase capacity during mass casualty situations — are expected to bring a combined 1,000 more beds to the state. There will be two at a site in Edison and one at the Atlantic City Convention Center. They should be ready in a month. Patients with less serious illnesses will be moved from regular hospitals into the field hospitals to make room for coronavirus patients.

Bergen, Passaic testing centers

By 8 a.m. the Bergen Community College testing site reached capacity. All six days the site has been open, it reached capacity early.

Wednesday also marked the opening of the William Paterson University testing site. Cars could be seen lining up by 8 a.m., an hour before it was scheduled to open. However the scene was quite different than in Bergen.

Unlike the Paramus site, the William Paterson location is open only to Passaic County residents who have a doctor's note.

Story continues below gallery

Coronavirus in NJ

What restrictions has NJ put in place for social distancing?

Nearly all businesses are closed in the state except those offering essential services, including:

These essential businesses include:

Hospitals, health care facilities and stores within the facilities

Grocery stores and liquor stores

Farmer's markets and farms that sell directly to customers

Food banks

Pharmacies

Medical supply stores

Gas stations and convenience stores

Banks and other financial institutions

Pet supply stores

Hardware and home improvement stores

Laundromats and dry-cleaning services

Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair and auto mechanics

Mail and delivery stores

Stores that principally sell supplies for children under 5 years old

Physical therapy offices

Restaurants and bars can offer takeout and delivery services only.

The following businesses were added to the list on March 24:

Mobile phone retail and repair shops

Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair

Livestock feed stores

Nurseries and garden centers

Farming equipment stores.

All NJ residents have been asked to stay home except to do things like head to the grocery store, seek medical care, visit close family or someone you have a "close personal relationship" with like a romantic partner, report to work or go outside for exercise. And even then, residents should not leave their homes between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Employees still required to go to work include law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, IT maintenance workers and janitorial and custodial staff.

How can you get a coronavirus test in NJ?

Due to limited supplies, current state policy is to test “our most vulnerable individuals,” state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli has said.

That includes:

Hospitalized patients suspected of having COVID-19.

Symptomatic health care workers who have been exposed.

Individuals who may be part of a cluster or outbreak, based on close-contact exposure.

Medically fragile individuals in communal settings.

If you do not have symptoms, you do not need to be tested. If you have mild symptoms, most facilities will not test you.

New Jersey has begun to open drive-thru testing centers, including one at Bergen Community College and one at PNC Bank Arts Center. However, in order to be tested at one of these sites, you must exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 and show New Jersey identification.

What you need to know about coronavirus

How can I keep from getting sick?

The CDC recommends simple preventive steps, including:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

What should you do if you think you have coronavirus?

Don't run to the doctor's office – call first!

You should be prepared to answer questions about your symptoms, your travel history and your risk of exposure to the virus. This is called telephone triage, as the questioner assesses the urgency of your situation. Large health systems and hospitals have scripts for their staff to follow, listing the questions they should ask.

“Anyone who calls in with symptoms of upper respiratory infection, we ask: ‘Do you have fever, chills, and have you traveled?’ ” said Dr. Kennedy Ganti, a primary care physician in Willingboro and a board member of the Medical Society of New Jersey.

How should I treat my illness?