Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that New Jersey is one of 12 states identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a “priority state” that will have coronavirus testing sites set up and supported by the federal agency.

The two sites will be located at Bergen Community College in Paramus and at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, acting State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan said.

Callahan said he didn’t know how soon they would be operational but added he expects them to be up and running shortly.

The setup of the sites was not disclosed, but Callahan said both locations “allow for easy in-and-out” for testing.

Bergen County has the most cases with 61 positive tests.

State officials announced this weekend that the Bergen Community College site was set to be open by Monday. But state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said it will take longer because FEMA has volunteered to help.

Murphy said the testing sites are designed to handle thousands of people a day.

He made the announcement at the same time state officials announced New Jersey now has 178 cases, with 80 new positive tests for COVID-19. There have been two deaths.

The governor also said he’s mobilizing New Jersey’s National Guard to assist in the state’s effort to combat the spread of the virus.

The news comes as New Jerseyans brace for sweeping new restrictions including a call for a statewide curfew, closure of all public and private schools and the shutdown of casinos, dine-in restaurant service, movie, theaters, gyms and bars.

“There are some people think that this is fake news. … This is not fake news. This is real,” Murphy said at his Monday coronavirus briefing in Trenton. “This is real. Stop believing folks that say this isn’t real.”

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.

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