Governor Phil Murphy announced 2,481 new COVID-19 cases processed in the last 24 hours, for a statewide total of 116,264.

In 24 hours, the state processed 329 new COVID-19 deaths, for a total statewide death total of 6,770.

It’s not all bad news.

The rate of doubling of new cases is slowing, Murphy said.

Overall.

But on Wednesday there was woeful regional trending.

“There is no question this is migrating south,” he said. “We have positive cases in every county, and we have deaths in every county.”

“We’re seeing a down bend of the curve in North and Central Jersey, but we’re seeing increases in South Jersey,” Murphy said. “We need to get the back of that curve cracked and heading in the right direction.”

He noted a total of 6,289 COVID-19 hospitalizations.

He said 1,811 patients are in critical or intensive care.

That’s lower than a week ago.

The number of patients on ventilators ticked up slightly to 1,327, but it’s still lower than a week ago, the governor said.

Hospitals discharged 474 more COVID-19 patients in 24 hours, more than than 48 new cases processed by hosptials in 24 hours.

“These graphs are very good signs,” Murphy said. “But our mantra remains. Public health creates economic health.”