UPDATE: New Jersey now has 917 coronavirus deaths and 37,505 cases. Another 3K positive tests reported.

Just one month after recording its first infection, New Jersey now has at least 34,124 known cases of the coronavirus, including 846 deaths, as state officials confirmed 4,331 new cases and 200 new fatalities in the last 24 hours from a global outbreak that’s expected to keep worsening in the coming days.

The pandemic’s death toll in the state is now larger than the 704 New Jersey residents who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“Please let that sink in for a moment," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a somber tone at at the Trenton War Memorial during his daily coronavirus briefing.

“This pandemic is writing one of the greatest tragedies in the state’s history," Murphy added. "Just as we have committed to never forgetting those we lost on 9/11, we will commit to never forget those we lost to this pandemic.”

The governor then asked for a moment of silence for the victims.

New Jersey, which has 9 million residents, continues to have more COVID-19 cases than any U.S. state but New York.

Saturday’s figures included 41 fewer new cases but 87 more new deaths than what officials reported Friday.

“We’re going through hell together," Murphy said.

Officials have said the peak of cases is likely to hit this month, while Murphy has said he expects the fallout from the virus to last “deep into May.”

The governor, who has ordered residents to stay at home, called on people to keep practicing social distancing and washing their hands.

“By being apart, we’re actually working together,” Murphy said. “Every single one of us is a hero right now. Every single one of us must do our part if we are to flatten the curve of this virus. If we all do our part, there is no question in my mind we will win this war.”

N.J. CORONAVIRUS CASES IN EACH COUNTY

Here is the latest county-by-county breakdown of confirmed coronavirus cases and fatalities as of Saturday afternoon, according to the state tracking website:

Bergen County: 5,760 cases, with 179 deaths

Essex County: 3,584 cases, with 155 deaths

Hudson County: 3,491 cases, with 78 deaths

Union County: 2,916 cases, with 66 deaths

Passaic County: 2,856 cases, with 38 deaths

Middlesex County: 2,578 cases, with 76 deaths

Monmouth County: 2,065 cases, with 54 deaths

Ocean County: 2,003 cases, with 56 deaths

Morris County: 1,618 cases, with 51 deaths

Somerset County: 765 cases, with 24 deaths

Mercer County: 586 cases, with 13 deaths

Camden County: 481 cases, with 8 deaths

Burlington County: 469 cases, with 10 deaths

Sussex County: 236 cases, with 9 deaths

Gloucester County: 215 cases, with 3 deaths

Warren County: 182 cases, with 6 deaths

Hunterdon County: 171 cases, with 1 death

Atlantic County: 98 cases, with 1 death

Cape May County: 50 cases, with 0 deaths

Cumberland County: 40 cases, with 2 deaths

Salem County: 25 cases, with 2 deaths

It’s difficult to calculate exactly how many New Jerseyans are currently infected with the virus because the state officials say test results are backed up by as much as two weeks and the state is not reporting how many people have recovered so far. They say the latter is complicated to track.

The state is also testing only symptomatic people and reporting an average of only 5,000 tests a day, which officials attribute to a lack of manpower and supplies from the federal government.

Plus, officials say Saturday’s 200 new deaths do not mean all those victims died in the last 24 hours because of the testing backlog.

Murphy said state officials hope to have a more detailed briefing on statistics and projections Monday.

While New Jersey now has more than 34,000 positive cases of the coronavirus, the state has seen 41,232 tests produce negative results, according to state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. That makes the state’s positivity rate about 42%.

CROWDED HOSPITALS

As cases continue to surge, officials said the state is increasing its hospital capacity, including using makeshift field medical stations for patients. They also said they are considering using some hotels and college dorms to house medical workers.

There were more than 4,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the state as of Friday night, Persichilli said. More than 2,000 more are awaiting test results, she said.

Of those hospitalized with the virus, 1,494 patients are in critical care, with more than 85% — 1,263 — on ventilators, Persichilli said. Of the new deaths reported in the state Saturday, nine were residents of longterm care facilities.

Of the newest coronavirus cases in New Jersey, 61% are male and 39% are female, the health commissioner said. Six patients are under the age of 30, 47 are between 30 and 39, 136 are between the ages of 50 and 64, 268 are between the ages of 65 and 79, and 389 are over the age of 80.

Among the state’s newest deaths, 300 victims had underlying health conditions, and four did not, Persichilli said. Plus, nine victims wee residents of longterm care facilities.

In general, officials say about about 80% of people with the virus have mild symptoms, while about 15% are more serious. People with underlying medical conditions, such heart disease, lung illnesses, and diabetes, are at higher risk than others.

Persichilli also noted nine New Jersey hospitals were put on “divert” status Friday night, primarily because of staffing issues and critical care capacity.

“We need volunteers to assist us in this effort,” she said, directing people with medical experience to visit Covid19.nj.gov/volunteer.

STATE LOCKDOWN CONTINUES

Saturday marked two weeks since Murphy has ordered residents to stay home, banned social gatherings, and mandated that non-essential businesses in the state close until further notice — a move he made in an effort to increase social distancing and reduce the virus’ spread. But the governor said the numbers do not yet reflect what kind of effect the orders are having.

Murphy said he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday morning and stressed that the state still needs more medical supplies and equipment — including 1,650 ventilators. Persichilli said hospitals right now have enough ventilators, but the state needs up to 6,000 more in total.

Only one of the state’s two government-run mass testing centers will be open Sunday — at Bergen Community College in Paramus. Only New Jersey residents showing symptoms of the virus will be tested. There are numerous other testing sites across the state.

As of Saturday morning, COVID-19 has infected more than 1.1 million people across the world, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. Of those cases, more than 60,000 people have died and more than 233,000 people have recovered.

The United States has the most cases, at more than 278,000, including more than 7,100 deaths.

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

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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