On the same day that Governor Phil Murphy told New Jersey about 935 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide official total to 2,844, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal presented an attack plan to beat down crime in an unsure time.

“This increase is not a surprise,” Murphy said, in reference to the spread of the virus in NJ.

Neither is the exploding number of positive cases necessarily a cause for great alarm.

“As the testing regime expands we’re going to see these numbers go up in a big way,” Murphy said.  “We will see numbers go into the many thousands. …These cases will continue to rise as testing increases.”

Seven more New Jerseyans are reported dead since the govenror’s Sunday briefing, bringing the total to 27.

Five were males.

Two females.

Their age ranges were between 57 and 91.

Two of the individuals had pre-exisiting conditions, said state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

Murphy said he spoke earlier today to President Donald J. Trump and received his support for four pop up field hospitals interfaced with FEMA Region 2.

Hudson – like Union, Bergen and Monmouth – will offer drive-through testing – at Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus.

The number is 201-388-1097.

“You most be a Hudson resident and you must be exhibiting symptoms,” Murphy said.

The stand-up of testing centers in the last few days is not exponentially sustainable.

“We are going to come to a fork between resources dedicated to testing versus resources dedicated to care,” the governor said. “We may have to tilt the machine more to the care side.”

Murphy again urged residents to stay in and come out only when necessary.

“You win wars like WWII not because you panic, but because you shoot straight and you have courage,” said the governor. “If we do all our parts, we will come through this and be stronger than ever before.”

State Attorney General Grewal – a career prosecutor – drilled down on Murphy’s vow to ensure compliance with his stay-at-home order.

“It’s time for each and everyone of us to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Grewal said.

For those who do not comply: “There will be serious legal consequences,” the AG said.

If a bar stays open in violation of the order, the owner will face prosecution.

“Let this be a warning. …Shut down your non-essential businesses,” Grewal said.

He also cited price gouging and 150 cease and desist letters issued by law enforcement.

“Additional fraud cases are going to come,” he said, including financial and cyber cases.

The AG also vowed to go after those who use this emergency to justify acts of violences and hate.

“COVID-19 does not discriminate, and not one community is more at risk of contracting it and transmitting it,” he said. “If you have been the victim of a hate crime, contact” his office, Grewal said.

The AG also relayed information about a consent order for inmates contained on sentences of a year or less to be considered for release from county jails.

“Offenders will be released unless there is an individual specific request,” Grewal said.

Murphy intensified his attorney general’s words.

“There is a special place in hell for those who take advantage of a health crisis,” the governor said.