First Confirmed Case of Coronavirus In New Jersey

A 32-year old Fort Lee man is the first, confirmed case of the coronavirus diagnosed in New Jersey.  Governor Phil Murphy, who is recovering from kidney tumor surgery, and Acting Governor Sheila Oliver, made the announcement on Wednesday night.

The unidentified male was admitted to the Hackensack University Medical Center on Tuesday after he arrived at the hospital’s Emergency Department exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19, the illness which is caused by the coronavirus infection.  According to Dr. Daniel M. Varga, the man was placed in an isolation room and resting comfortably.

According to a statement released by Governor Murphy’s office, the diagnosis is considered “presumptive positive” by the New Jersey Health Department laboratory until it is confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.

Governor Murphy tweeted, “We take this situation very seriously and have been preparing for this for weeks.  I urge residents to remain calm.  The investigation is underway & more information will be released when it becomes available.”

According to nj.com, a patient at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck is also under observation for the coronavirus.

To date, 159 people in the United States have contracted the coronavirus.  Worldwide, more than 3,200 people have died from the illness.