New Jersey now has at least 427 coronavirus cases statewide, including five deaths, as officials announced 162 new positive tests Wednesday, showing a steady escalation of the outbreak as broad efforts to increase social distancing take hold.

“This is increasing with a pretty steep curve, as we expected,” Gov. Phil Murphy said after announcing the state’s latest official numbers shortly after 2 p.m. during a Wednesday afternoon briefing.

“We have some amount of community spread as a part of this," Murphy added. “This is a statewide reality.”

The update includes two new confirmed deaths in New Jersey from the virus that has infected more than 205,000 people and killed more than 8,200 across the globe.

“Both of these individuals were high-risk," state Health Commissioner Judy Persichillli said.

The victims were both women over 60 years old and had underlying conditions, Persichillli said. One was from Essex County, the other from Hudson County.

The 162 new cases marked at least the third consecutive day New Jersey has been above trends that are being modeled. It’s unclear if that is the result of expanded testing availability or delays in reporting.

(The state reported a total of 267 cases Tuesday but reduced the figures by two Wednesday because those individuals were determined to be from other states.)

State officials say they expect the number of cases in New Jersey to continue to rise, especially as testing expands.

There are now coronavirus cases in 17 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.

Here’s where the new cases come from:

Bergen County: 27

Middlesex 17

Essex County: 12

Union County: 12

Hudson County: 9

Morris County: 9

Passaic County: 8

Somerset County: 8

Mercer County: 6

Burlington County: 5

Camden County: 5

Ocean County: 4

Atlantic County: 3

And here’s a breakdown on the total county-by-county positive tests, according to the state Department of Health:

Bergen County: 114

Essex County: 45

Middlesex County: 40

Hudson County: 34

Monmouth County: 32

Union County: 26

Morris County: 19

Passaic County: 18

Somerset County: 16

Mercer County: 15

Burlington County: 10

Camden County: 8

Ocean County: 8

Hunterdon County: 6

Atlantic County: 3

Gloucester County: 2

Officials have yet to determine a county location for 31 positive tests.

Later Wednesday, Sussex County officials announced the county’s first three cases. That was not reflected in the totals the state provided earlier. Statewide figures are updated only once a day, usually around 2 p.m.

The state’s death count also appears to already be larger. NJ Advance Media confirmed Wednesday that the brother of a Freehold woman who died last week from the virus has also perished from the illness. And Wednesday night, NJ Advance Media learned their mother died from the virus, as well.

Neither appears to be part of the new deaths the state reported Wednesday.

Three other members of that family are hospitalized in critical condition with the virus after attending a recent family gathering.

Wednesday’s update comes after Murphy put in place sweeping restrictions to combat the spread of the virus. He has closed all schools, movie theaters, casinos, gyms, indoor malls, and amusement centers until further notice. Dining in at restaurants is banned — only takeout and delivery is allowed. And people are strongly encouraged to refrain from non-essential driving between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day.

“We need everyone to take personal responsibility to do their part to flatten the curve (of cases),” Murphy said Wednesday.

The governor clarified that hotels in the state are allowed to remain open.

Earlier this year, the state created a website and a hotline — 1-800-222-1222 — to answer questions and voice concerns about the virus.

On Wednesday, Murphy announced officials have added a second number, NJ 211, to help handle the volume of calls. Simply dial 2-1-1 or text NJCOVID19 to 898-211.

Officials also announced Wednesday the first government-run coronavirus testing site in New Jersey will open Friday in Bergen County.

Meanwhile, officials said they are in talks to reopen Inspira Woodbury hospital to help deal with a possible shortage of hospital beds if cases spike.

And the state announced steps to help fund and support day care centers that are remaining open amid the outbreak.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01.

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