NJ Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli reported six new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total in New Jersey to 29.

She gave the following information at today’s briefing regarding the six new cases:

a 16-year old female currently hospitalized at Englewood Hospital (positive from Lab Corps);

a 66-year old from Montclair hospitalized at Mountainside;

a 51-year old Butler Borough at Chilton Medical Center (an exposure);

a 23-year old from Bridgewater (may have been exposed with a Pa. resident);

a 53-year old from Manalapan (exposure to a confirmed case).

A female resident from Bergen also had an exposure to COVID-19 at a synagogue carnival.

“We’re beginning to assign risk counties,” Pershichilli said, offering the following break down:

Bergen: 13 cases (moderate)

Burlington: Two (none to minimal)

Camden: One (none to minimal)

Hudson: One (none to minimal)

Middlesex: Two (none to minimal)

Monmouth: Five presumptive cases (above minimnal but ot moderate)

Passaic: One (none to minimal)

Union: One (none to minimal)

Essex: One (none to minimal)

Morris: One (none to minimal)

Somerset: One (none to minimal)

“Overall in New Jersey we believe the risk is still low,” the commissioner said.

Sitting alongside Persichilli, Acting Governor Sheila Oliver said she had not at this time advised Atlantic City to shut down a scheduled March 31st referendum election as a consequence of the virus.

According to the NJ Department of Health, as of this afternoon, there were 103 completed coronavirus tests in the state: 74 were negative results, 29 are presumptive positives, with 1 death, and 0 confirmed CDC cases. 20 tests are in process, and 37 individuals are under investigation.

“One week ago we had one case, today we have 29,” Persichilli said. “That’s a pretty steep increase in relation to absolute numbers.”