NEWARK, NJ — Mayor Ras J. Baraka confirmed tonight that Newark has its first case of the coronavirus and has scheduled a press conference Sunday to announce details of an executive order he is signing to help residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19 situation.

The press conference is scheduled for noon tomorrow at City Hall with the Department of Community Wellness Director Dr. Mark Wade.

No other details about the coronavirus case were unveiled tonight.

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Earlier this afternoon, the state announced an additional 19 new coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 69. The count includes seven in Essex County. It's unclear if Newark's case is among the 69.

As a result of the coronavirus, Newark Public Schools announced it was closing beginning Monday. All of Newark's institutions of higher education, including Rutgers-Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Essex County College, have all closed. The Newark Public Library has also closed.