New Jersey Confirms First Coronavirus Death in Bergen County

A day after Governor Phil Murphy declared a public health emergency, New Jersey has confirmed its first coronavirus (COVID-19) death on March 10, 2020.

The New Jersey Department of Health announced that the man was 69 years old and had underlying medical conditions. The total number of cases confirmed by officials also rose to 15, with 31 persons under investigation.

According to a joint statement by Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, the man was from Bergen County.

The state also announced that consumer costs would be waived for all “medically necessary” COVID-19 testing.

“This waiver includes emergency room, urgent care, and office visits related to COVID-19 testing for the state’s individual, small and large group markets; the State Health Benefits and School Employee Health Benefits Plans; NJ FamilyCare’s CHIP population; and the state's uninsured population, eligible for the Charity Care program,” officials wrote.

Washington state recently ordered insurers to cover COVID-19 testing.

The first case in in New Jersey was reported on March 4. The first patient in New Jersey, who was also in Bergen County, is a 32 year old man who was admitted to Hackensack Meridian Medical Center on March 3.

For the most recent case counts in the COVID-19 outbreak, check out the Contagion® Outbreak Monitor.