Watch Gov. Murphy Address NJ's Response To Coronavirus Outbreak

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy said on Wednesday that his administration is taking a "comprehensive approach" to respond to the coronavirus after two investigations into possible cases in the Garden State came up negative. At press time, New Jersey had no confirmed cases of the virus or reports under investigation.

You can watch a video of his press conference below.

The Murphy administration has launched a webpage with resources regarding the virus, including travel updates and advisories and guidance for health care providers, local health departments, infection preventionists and other health partners.

The administration also opened a hotline (1-800-222-1222) for the public to ask questions about the coronavirus. The 24-hour hotline is operated by the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, also known as the New Jersey Poison Center.

The free hotline is staffed with trained health care professionals and can accommodate callers in multiple languages, he said.

“As governor, I am above all charged with protecting the health and safety of our residents,” said Murphy. “New Jersey is an international crossroads, home to global businesses and research and educational institutions, and with proximity to numerous international airports and other points of entry. Together, we are collaborating with our federal partners, state authorities, and local health officials to ensure that we have strong preparedness protocols in place to protect all New Jerseyans.”

The New Jersey Department of Health has shared with hospitals across the state specific guidance for evaluating reports of patients exhibiting coronavirus symptoms, including the taking of a full travel and potential-exposure history, which is a critical metric when determining whether a patient meets specific criteria for Center for Disease Control and Prevention testing, officials said.

You can watch the press conference here, courtesy of NJTV:

The briefing came days after test results from a possible case of the potentially deadly virus came back negative, according to the state Department of Health. It's not known where the case was investigated. Patch will disclose details as they become available. Read more: NJ Patient Tests Negative For Coronavirus (UPDATE)

Another possible case involving a patient at Hackensack University Medical Center was investigated last week. Nancy A. Radwin, a spokeswoman for Hackensack University Medical Center, confirmed that the patient did not have the coronavirus and was discharged. Read more: No Coronavirus Case At NJ Hospital (UPDATE)

The briefing also came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will begin screening for the virus at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Health officials say the risk of the coronavirus appearing in New Jersey is actually "low." But the DOH – with assistance from hospitals and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – has established a central webpage in case any problems arise, officials say.

“Although this novel virus is understandably a cause for concern, it is important for New Jersey residents to know that the risk to the public remains low,” Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said in a statement.

“The New Jersey Department of Health works with hospitals and local health departments throughout respiratory virus and flu season on hundreds of disease outbreaks each year and we are prepared —along with our partners — to respond to potential novel coronavirus cases.”

Persichilli noted that New Jersey is currently at the height of respiratory virus season. Read more: 2nd Child Dies, Nearly 1,000 Sick As NJ Flu Outbreak Soars

“While (the coronavirus) is very concerning, hospital Emergency Departments and urgent care centers need to consider other more common diagnoses,” she said. “Health care facilities need to be mindful of any potentially communicable disease, whether nCoV, imported MERS-CoV, seasonal respiratory viruses, measles and others, and review their policies and protocols related to infection control.”

The outbreak emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and now globally includes more than 500 cases and at least 17 deaths.

Health care facilities should work with their local health department to report potential cases, the DOH said in a press release.

“If you have had recent travel to Wuhan, China or close contact with someone who has and are experiencing symptoms, call your health care provider before arriving to the office so they can make accommodations in advance,” Persichilli said.

Patients with confirmed coronavirus infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. The CDC believes that symptoms of nCoV may appear in as few as two days or as long as two weeks after exposure, the release said.

At this time, only the CDC laboratories in Atlanta have the capabilities to test for the coronavirus, though it is expected that state public health laboratories will be able to test soon.

“The New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratories in West Trenton is ready when a diagnostic test becomes available at the state level,” said Christopher Neuwirth, assistant commissioner of the Division of Public Health Infrastructure, Laboratories and Emergency Preparedness.

The department has also been in contact with Newark Liberty International Airport’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in advance of airport screening.

The New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (also known as the NJ Poison Control Center) serves as a 24/7 information resource for the public and can be reached at 800-222-1222.