NJ to open more test sites as coronavirus deaths rise 

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey's death toll from the coronavirus approached 300 on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said, just a day after the tally reached about 200. 

The number of positive cases is near 19,000, up from about 16,000, while the death toll climbed from 198 to 267 overnight, Murphy said during a daily news conference.

Among the dead were a 33-year-old firefighter from Passaic and a 30-year-old baseball coach from Cliffside Park. 

The death toll is a reminder that the best thing residents can do is to continue to avoid social interactions, Murphy said.

"I cannot be any clearer in my call: Stay at home before this hits home. Please do your part to flatten this curve," Murphy, a Democrat said. 

The state also received more protective gear from the federal government, and more counties are opening testing centers, according to the governor. 

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A closer look at the developments: 

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NEW TESTING CENTERS

Camden, Middlesex and Ocean counties are opening or have opened new drive-thru COVID-19 testing facilities, Murphy said.

Camden's will be open starting Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. during the week. 

Middlesex opened a facility in Edison that will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Ocean's center will be open weekdays, though a time wasn't given. All the centers are only for county residents who have symptoms of the virus, including shortness of breath and fever. 

The testing centers join two statewide facilities in Bergen and Monmouth counties and a handful of other centers just for county residents. 

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NEW GEAR

The federal government sent a fourth shipment of personal protective equipment for health workers, Murphy said. The 260,000-piece shipment included gloves and masks. 

Murphy has said the state needs ventilators and the protective equipment more than anything else. 

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NURSING HOMES

The number of nursing homes and long-term care facilities hit by the virus continues to climb, Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said. Some 81 centers have a coronavirus case, up from just over a dozen facilities about a week ago. 

The state is now requiring all nursing home workers to wear masks to help prevent them from bringing the virus into centers, Persichilli said.

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MORE BEACHES CLOSED 

The Ocean County beach towns of Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking jointly decided to close their beaches to help slow the spread of the virus. Point Pleasant Beach had previously banned walking on its boardwalk but still allowed people to cross over it onto the sand. The new restrictions, announced on Tuesday, will take effect on Friday. 

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STATE-FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP 

New Jersey's U.S. attorney and the state attorney general have teamed up to crack down on fraud stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on Monday announced a state-federal task force to go after people who illegally hoard supplies, gouge prices and conduct other scams. 

Murphy has said the state would aggressively pursue any violators. 

Law enforcement officials caution residents to be wary of warning signs for scams, including "investment opportunities" tied to COVD-19, as well as offers to sell fake cures, vaccines and other unproven advice.