Since yesterday, 3,748 more New Jerseyans submitted positive COVID-19 tests, pushing the statewide total to 51,027, Governor Phil Murphy said today at his 1 p.m. briefing.

Hospitals discharged 471 COVID-19 positive patients, who returned home.

But also since yesterday, the state reported an additional 198 deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death total from the virus to 1,700.

“Never let us ever let this get abstract,” Murphy said.

He urged New Jersey, “We must continue to practice social distancing. This is no time to panic, but it is equally no time for business as usual. This is a fight for our lives. …It is a fight for heart and soul and for the future of our state. We need you to stay at home. We need you to wear a face covering.”

The governor said social distancing is beginning to take effect but only slowly.

“Are we spiking any footballs? No way. This is not a time for selfishness. This is the time for selflessness.”

He addressed the parks question, noting unequivocally an enormous amount of gatherings in the parks pre-closure, and numerous out of state license plates.  “We did this because of congregations,” Murphy said. “We didn’t take this lightly, but based on the facts as we saw them.”

New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli gave a racial breakdown of the 1,700 COVID-19 deaths to date.

White: 61%

Black: 22%

Asian: 6%

Pacific Islander: less than one percent

The DOH is still investigating 11% of the state;s COVID-19 deaths.