Governor Phil Murphy this afternoon reported 3,528 new positive COVID-19 test results, bringing the statewide total to 88,806 since the beginning of the virus’ incursion into New Jersey, and 177 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the statewide total to 4,377.

“While there is no doubt that the lack of a federal plan for tests and PPE [personal protective equipment] inhibited testing measures – and are nor remotely close to what we need, the hospital numbers are definitive,” said Murphy, noting that New Jersey is still the fourth highest tested state in the country.

He acknowledged that his team is “Anticipating a spike – which will surely come – when we reopen. These viruses can mutate and come back.”

That said, he insisted the state has achieved relative stability, leaving open the likelihood of one-off spikes or drops.

There are right now in New Jersey 6,986 COVID-19 patients, of whom 2,018 are receiving critical or intensive care treatment. An additional 1,594 are on ventilators and 74 patients occupy field medical stations.

“The good news is hospitalizations are down, though intensive care is a little peskier here,” said Murphy, who noted 583 discharges from hospitals.

“The spread of COVID-19 is slowing,” he said. “The numbers of new cases have significantly slowed. …We are not claiming victory but we are making progress and we have much further to go.”

He touched on the dangers of reopening the state prematurely, as a regional task force examines economic front options.

Again, he noted a COVID-19 boomerang.

“That is a real possibility with a virus like this, even if we do everything exactly right,” the governor said. “Reopening our economy today would backfire in two respects: rise in covid-19 cases and no customers at the stores. We are securing public health confidence right now. That confidence does not exist. We will align ourselve with our region. We are working with a coalition because New Jersey is not alone in this. There is one overriding principle. Personal health creates economic health.”

Among those to whom Murphy paid tribute was Sierra Leone native Foday Mansaray of Franklin Twp., a representitive of the International Human Rights Commmission Relief Fund Trust and relief representative to the United Nations.

“To his wife Patricia with whom I spoke yesterday, I extend my condolences, and the entire West African community is in our thoughts and prayers,” the governor said.