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"We are now into five digits, as we predicted — at the pace we expected," he said.
"If that isn’t reason to continue your social distancing, please take this one to heart. This is not a game... It is critical for you to stay home."
Hospitals in the state will be receiving $146 million as part of a new funding plan, Murphy said.
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A pre-payment plan will bolster hospitals before the height of the surge, predicted in approximately two weeks, according to the governor.
Most of the money -- $140 million -- will go toward charity care for patients without medical insurance ($67.3 million), graduate medical education ($60.5 million) and to University Hospital in Newark ($14.6 million).
Murphy expects New Jersey to be coping with the virus at least into May.
The state also received a shipment of PPE from the federal stockpile Friday:
- 120,000 N95 masks
- 287,000 surgical masks
- 62,000+ face shields
- 51,000+ surgical gloves
- 3,500+ coveralls
- 368,000+ pairs of gloves
- 1,000 medical beds
State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli did not know how many patients have recovered but may have the numbers Monday.
Both of New Jersey's government-run testing sites at Bergen Community College and PNC Bank Arts Center on Saturday started accepting only symptomatic healthcare workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS.
Starting Sunday, March 29 the two sites will move to a new schedule which will be announced on covid19.nj.gov, Murphy said. The sites will collect 500 samples each day they are open.
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