UPDATE: N.J. has 1st possible coronavirus ‘community-spread’ cases. ‘Coronavirus is amongst us,’ officials say.

The number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey has increased by eight, bringing the statewide total to 23 positive tests with one death, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday.

Murphy, who declared a state of emergency Monday, made the announcement during a television appearance ahead of the 2 p.m. briefing planned by state health officials. He said 20 of those who tested positive are currently hospitalized.

“My guess is it gets worse before it gets better," Murphy said on News 12, in his first public comments since he had surgery to remove a likely cancerous tumor from his kidney. "And that’s not just a statement about New Jersey. That’s a statement about America and the world. We have been preparing for that and we just have to continue to do what we can to stay out ahead of that.”

Of the eight new cases, four are in Bergen County with two apiece in Middlesex and Monmouth counties, officials said at an afternoon news conference. The ages of the people who tested positive range from 17 to 66. Five are male, three are female.

The hometowns of the seven of the eight people who tested positive was not disclosed.

COVID-19 — the illness caused by the virus — has sickened more than 1,000 people nationwide and led to at least 31 deaths, according to NYTimes.com. One of the new cases announced Wednesday is a 44-year-old Teaneck man, officials in the town confirmed. The state’s first death, a 69-year-old man with previous health conditions, took place in Bergen County.

In all 80 people have been tested at the state lab - with 57 negative and 23 positive. Another 37 people are being investigated with 20 tests underway at the lab. The lab is awaiting samples from the other 17 people.

On Tuesday, officials said a 69-year-old Little Ferry man, later identified as horse trainer John Brennan died Tuesday at Hackensack University Medical Center. Brennan had pre-existing health conditions including diabetes, hypertension and emphysema. He was revived from an initial cardiac arrest Monday, officials said, but died after a second cardiac arrest Tuesday.

Officials also said on Tuesday that another Bergen County resident and two Burlington County residents tested positive for coronavirus, pushing the state Tuesday total to 31.

The coronavirus outbreak in New Jersey has prompted dozens of school districts to close or call for early dismissals to either clean facilities or plan with staff to switch to online instruction. In addition, many colleges in New Jersey have announced that all classes will be held online for days or weeks.

The state Attorney General’s Office has received more than 90 complaints about price gouging. Excess prices for surgical face masks and hand sanitizer were among the initial 10 complaints last week, but the state hasn’t named any of the businesses or identified the complaints.

State health officials also advised residents to stock up on a 14-day supply of food and medicine in the event they need to be quarantined.

Worldwide, more than 115,800 people have tested positive for coronavirus and the deal toll has climbed above 4,100, according to CNN.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman.

Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.