On the worst day to date since the start of the crisis amid a two-week intensification of the effects of the disease, the New Jersey COVID-19 case count now stands at 22,255 and deaths at 355, according to Governor Phil Murphy.

The state sustained 3,649 positive test results in 24 hours. Since yesterday the state suffered 91 fatalities due to COVID-19.

“We are in the fight of our lives, let there be no doubt it,” said Murphy, speaking to reporters at the War Memorial in Trenton. “Even in mourning, we have to practice our social distancing. The only way to flatten the curve is by taking social distancing to heart.”

This is a time of social solidarity.

By staying apart, we are actually coming together, the governor added, a kind of perverse reality.

“We are the quintessential American state,” Murphy said. “Our job is to flatten that blue curve.”

The state will receive 350 ventilators on top of the 200 received some days ago, according to the governor, as reported earlier today by NJ.com.

“We have received a total of 850 ventilators, but we still need more,” Murphy said.

New Jersey received ten million pieces of personal protective equipment “on our own,” in addition to what we’re getting on the federal side, the governor noted.

“Let me put on the Uncle Sam: we need you,” Murphy said.

Retired doctors.

Nurses.

Medical personnel.

The Bergen Community College will be open tomorrow, April 2, starting at 8.m. The PNC Arts Center will be closed.

In his briefing today, Murphy reiterated the deal he struck with Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to extend the tax filing deadline and the state budget timetable.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardships, financial strain, and disruptions for many New Jerseyans and New Jersey businesses. As part of our response, we have reached agreement that the state income tax filing deadline and the corporation business tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15^th to July 15^th.

“Additionally, as part of the whole-of-government effort that is going into fighting COVID-19, we have agreed that the state fiscal year should be extended to September 30^th . This will allow the Administration and the Legislature to focus fully on leading New Jersey out of this crisis, and to allow for a robust, comprehensive, and well-informed budget process later in the year. 

“We are committed to working together to enact the necessary legislation and supplemental appropriations to accomplish these goals.”

The world has changed dramatically since the budget address, Murphy told reporters.